€9m worth of Easter eggs binned annually, research shows
A quarter of adults in Ireland admit that they don’t finish the chocolate they receive
Print21 April 2025
€9 million worth of worth of Easter eggs are binned every year in Ireland during the Easter holidays, new research from Too Good To Go shows.
This equates to a jaw-dropping 899,640 Easter eggs going to waste on an annual basis during the period.
The global social impact company explained that assuming an average Easter egg costs €10 per egg (the midpoint of the average range), it can calculate that the total cost of the disposed Easter eggs is based on the average cost per egg × total eggs discarded.
The findings point to a growing problem of food waste as well as under planning, it added.
Further extent of food wastage
And it’s not just the Easter eggs going to waste.
Food waste during the traditional Easter Sunday roast is also taking a hit – a staggering 85% of Irish adults say they’re left with leftover meat after their Easter Sunday dinner.
Key findings from the study demonstrate the during Easter with up to over 740,000 thousand Hot Cross Buns; over 720,000 thousand chocolate bunnies and 660,00 thousand roast potatoes being the most common foods going to waste during this time.
Commenting on the findings, Machalea O’Leary, sales manager, Too Good To Go, said: “Easter is a time for enjoying seasonal favourites, but it also leads to a spike in food waste.
“Every year in Ireland, hundreds of thousands of easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, hot cross buns and roast potatoes go uneaten.
“With a few simple changes – like better storage or using up leftovers – we can all help reduce waste. A little extra thought goes a long way in making sure the food we love doesn’t end up in the bin.”
What are the reasons behind the Easter food waste?
Nearly 50% of the respondents said that they overestimated portion sizes, having expired or spoiled food (35.4%) and having a lack of storage or freezer space (21.2%).
Among those who discard food during their Easter events, the emotional impacts are notable with a large amount of people feeling guilty (43%).
Top tips help curb waste
Correct storage: Chocolate can be frozen for later use. Store it in your freezer in an airtight container to enjoy over several months – perfect for melting into hot milk.
Get creative: Get creative with leftovers by repurposing them into new recipes like chocolate bark or sweet trail mixes. Hot cross buns can be smothered with custard and baked into a warm bread and butter pudding. Leftover meat? Why not make a delicious sandwich or comforting casserole?
Look, Smell, Taste: Trust your senses! Chocolate tends to have a long shelf life, beyond its ‘best before’ date.
Methodology:
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 1000 ROI adults (aged 18+).
The data was collected in April 2025.
Read more: Too Good To Go’s top tips for keeping your Valentine’s chocolates fresh
ShelfLife reporter
Related Articles
Lindt and Sprüngli launches new Dubai style chocolate in Ireland →
Fans 0
Followers