With Easter around the corner, we have a great excuse to start thinking more about chocolate.

Buying, gifting, eating and hunting for chocolate is a key part of Easter for many families. But is it possible to buy more ethical Easter eggs? Chocolate that isn’t damaging the environment? Or negatively affecting people around the world? Or harming animals?

Palm oil. Unethically sourced cocoa. The large amount of non-recyclable packaging. These are all major red flags for many of the top Easter egg choices from well known chocolate brands.

Free from, vegan and fair trade ethical chocolate is available but it may not be as obvious as the big chocolate brands lining the aisles in every shop. That’s why we need to look further afield for more sustainably produced chocolate and more ethical Easter eggs.

There’s now plenty of chocolate brands that are organic, Fairtrade, and ethically sourced. There’s also various options for those with specific dietary choices. Vegan friendly, lactose free and gluten free chocolates are all available if you know where to look.

We’ve rounded up some of the best options for your perfect ethical Easter.

Divine Chocolate Easter Eggs

Fairtrade pioneer Divine Chocolate have a huge range of Easter eggs. And they’re both delicious and ethical.

They use cocoa sourced by the Kuapa Kokoo farmers’ cooperative in Ghana. The farmers receive not only the Fairtrade premium, but a direct share of the profits as well.

While a large portion of the Divine range does include milk chocolate, the raspberry dark chocolate egg is vegan friendly as well as fair trade.

This profit share is used to develop the co-operative for the workers. It also helps provide education and healthcare for the whole community.

Packaging-wise, Divine have reduced their impact on the environment by never using plastic. Plus, they use the smallest amount of recyclable cardboard possible. The chocolate is free from artificial colours, flavourings, and preservatives.

Choose their hollow eggs or their miniature egg collection in many yummy flavours. Or go all out with their luxury versions.

Booja Booja Easter Eggs that Give Back

There probably isn’t a more unique or luxurious, ethical Easter gift you could give than a box of Booja Booja.

Booja Booja make award-winning organic chocolate truffles that simply melt in the mouth. Their Easter truffles are in a shell and are, hand painted by artists in Kashmir, India.

The chocolates are vegan, dairy and gluten free, and come in many varieties. Choose from almond and sea salt caramel to espresso, hazelnut and champagne. These truffles are seriously like nothing you’ve ever tasted. After all, it is all about the (ethical) chocolate.

As well as offering tasty vegan chocolate, Booja Booja also give back to the community.

For over a decade they have been working with Persian Dowery. This is a group of artisans in India, and Booja Booja are helping to support their dying craft. The brand has brought a breath of fresh air to the region, and to the declining trade of papier mache.

They have helped to inspire the younger generations to continue this unique craft. They also help communities live in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.

For a real treat try one of the Booja Booja champagne truffle Easter eggs.

Montezuma’s Ethical Easter Eco Egg

The Eco Egg from British brand Montezuma’s tastes amazing. Plus, it comes in the most eco-friendly packaging possible!

Their Easter themed motto is “more chocolate, less packaging”. The outer packaging is 100% recyclable and inside, there’s a biodegradable paper case. There’s also a small amount of foil protecting the egg. You’ll be pleased to know that this too can be recycled.

The organic chocolate eggs come in different delicious varieties. Try the white chocolate and raspberry or the milk chocolate and sweet orange. The dark chocolate with cocoa nibs is suitable for vegans.

Montezuma also have a popular organic & vegan dark chocolate button Easter egg, ‘milk’ chocolate peanut butter mini eggs and dark chocolate peanut butter mini eggs. And of course the giant chocolate buttons are always a treat no matter what time of year it is!

Green and Black’s Easter Eggs: Ethical from Bean to Bar

Give a sophisticated gift with a Green & Black’s ethical Easter egg. They’re available in milk chocolate, butterscotch, mint and dark chocolate. Known for their green credentials, the brand uses extra-thick chocolate and less packaging.

The eggs are certified organic and Fairtrade. In fact, Green & Blacks use only ethically sourced ingredients from bean to bar, and all their chocolate is palm oil free.

All their products are made with the best, hand-selected ingredients and are expertly crafted. They all give Green & Black’s chocolate a distinctively rich, smooth, chocolaty taste.

Get your hands on a luxurious Green & Black’s Easter egg in most supermarkets and health food stores.

Plamil Easter Eggs: Organic, Fairtrade and Powered by Renewable Energy

Plamil Easter eggs ensure that nobody has to miss out. The brand has a selection of Easter treats that are dairy, nut and gluten free. Vegans and those with allergies can now join in the Easter fun too!

On top of this, Plamil Easter eggs are organic and Fairtrade. They only use ethically sourced chocolate and ingredients and their packaging is made using recycled or recyclable materials. Plus, they may be one of the only chocolate factories to be powered by 100% renewable energy.

Their dairy-free treats come as either a large egg or a bunny box with with 1/2 Easter eggs.

The brand is the UK’s longest running plant-based business. They continue to make smart decisions too, such as paying their staff around the world a living wage.

Real Chocolate, No Cows: Moo Free Easter Eggs

Easter eggs from Moo Free are all dairy, gluten, wheat, soya and lactose free. Vegans and allergy sufferers rejoice!

These organic, ethically sourced vegan easter eggs are award winning. It’s made in the UK and tastes just like the ‘real’ thing.

The brand also support the local community by funding local projects. They also make sure none of their waste goes to landfill.

All packaging is either biodegradable or easily recyclable. And their ingredients are all organically grown, ethically-sourced and UTZ certified. The UTZ programme improves opportunities for sustainable farmers in third world countries. And ensures the environment is protected at the same time.

Choose between orange, dark or ‘milk’ chocolate for a special Easter treat. As well as these eggs, they also have a rabbit shaped chocolate bar. Plus, a luxury, limited edition caramelised hazelnut nibs egg from The Art Collection.

So there you have it, a tasty selection of vegan, fair trade ethical Easter eggs to choose from. Ethically sourced ingredients, eco-friendly packaging or ‘free from’ chocolate. There are some wonderful choices that taste fantastic too. Happy Easter!