Halloween is spooky by nature, but it doesn't have to be a scary time for the environment. You can have a jack-o-lantern full of Halloween fun while helping to protect and preserve the Earth’s resources. Here’s how:
Trick or Treat with Reusable Bags
When the little goblins in your family go trick-or-treating, make sure they carry reusable bags or containers that don’t need to be discarded after they are used. Cloth shopping bags, or even pillowcases, make eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags or the molded plastic jack-o-lanterns so many kids use to collect candy.
Make Do-It-Yourself Costumes
Instead of buying a Halloween costume that you or your children will wear once, make your own costumes from old clothes and other items you already have around the house. After Halloween, you can either wash and store your homemade costumes for future use, or donate the useable clothing to day care centers, homeless shelters and charitable organizations.
Give Eco-Friendly Treats
There is a growing variety of eco-friendly candy – from organic chocolate to organic lollipops – available at local organic grocers and health food stores. Organic candies and food are produced using methods that don’t damage the environment. Also, choose treats that use little or no packaging that is produced using fossil fuels and cannot be recycled. Another option is to avoid candy altogether and to give Halloween trick-or-treaters useful treats, such as colorful pencils or shiny, new coins.
Decorate Using Nature
Instead of buying decorations made of synthetic materials, decorate the inside and outside of your home with natural materials like bales of hay, real pumpkins, flowers, leaves and nuts. You can also make scarecrows out of scrap lumber, straw and old clothes.
Walk Instead of Driving
Rather than drive to other neighborhoods to take the kids trick-or-treating, stick close to home and walk from house to house to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution. If traveling by car is really your only option, try carpooling.
Make the Most of Your Pumpkin
After you carve your pumpkin, save the seeds and roast them to make pepitas, a delicious and nutritious treat. When your post-Halloween jack-o-lanterns have “bit the dust” don’t throw them in the trash – just add them to your Compost It! yard waste bag or cart, along with the fallen leaves and other yard waste.
When the little goblins in your family go trick-or-treating, make sure they carry reusable bags or containers that don’t need to be discarded after they are used. Cloth shopping bags, or even pillowcases, make eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags or the molded plastic jack-o-lanterns so many kids use to collect candy.
Make Do-It-Yourself Costumes
Instead of buying a Halloween costume that you or your children will wear once, make your own costumes from old clothes and other items you already have around the house. After Halloween, you can either wash and store your homemade costumes for future use, or donate the useable clothing to day care centers, homeless shelters and charitable organizations.
Give Eco-Friendly Treats
There is a growing variety of eco-friendly candy – from organic chocolate to organic lollipops – available at local organic grocers and health food stores. Organic candies and food are produced using methods that don’t damage the environment. Also, choose treats that use little or no packaging that is produced using fossil fuels and cannot be recycled. Another option is to avoid candy altogether and to give Halloween trick-or-treaters useful treats, such as colorful pencils or shiny, new coins.
Decorate Using Nature
Instead of buying decorations made of synthetic materials, decorate the inside and outside of your home with natural materials like bales of hay, real pumpkins, flowers, leaves and nuts. You can also make scarecrows out of scrap lumber, straw and old clothes.
Walk Instead of Driving
Rather than drive to other neighborhoods to take the kids trick-or-treating, stick close to home and walk from house to house to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution. If traveling by car is really your only option, try carpooling.
Make the Most of Your Pumpkin
After you carve your pumpkin, save the seeds and roast them to make pepitas, a delicious and nutritious treat. When your post-Halloween jack-o-lanterns have “bit the dust” don’t throw them in the trash – just add them to your Compost It! yard waste bag or cart, along with the fallen leaves and other yard waste.
Have fun, stay safe and remember be as scary as you can – just not to the environment. For more information on safe and smart disposal and recycling options, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 244.0021