Sustainable Halloween
October 16, 2009 – 9:52 am by MarinaHanes
How are you going to celebrate Halloween this year? Whether you’re going to be sitting at home passing out candy or scaring yourself to death with friends at a haunted house, there are some eco-friendly tips to keep in mind when you’re making plans.
Trick-or-Treat Central
Maybe your duty this year is to spook your neighbor’s children and treat them with goodies. Then consider recycling the costume you used from last year or use parts of it to create a whole new spooktacular character. With a few accessories from your closet and makeup, you can transform your last year’s costume into something better.
Although it’s more convenient to purchase candy from stores, consider baking treats if you’re neighborhood is small and you know everyone. Unfortunately, since there are safety issues with unwrapped and homemade goodies, you might not be able to do this. So if you have to buy wrapped candy, choose ones that have the least amount of packaging.
Or you can opt out of passing out candy. This year has been tough on everyone financially, so if you don’t want to or can’t participate in this way, there will be a few less candy wrappers because of your decision.
Halloween Party and Events
Are you going to drive to the scariest haunted house or laboratory with friends? Then make sure you carpool. At least with carpooling, you will have a buddy by your side at all times in case goblins or ghosts follow you home.
If you’re hosting a party, encourage people to bring homemade foods and have a potluck. This will help reduce some paper waste, and you can also use reusable plastic plates and glasses that you already own instead of disposable ones. If you don’t have these items, ask your friends to bring what they have. For sweet treats, buy organic fruit locally and set out fondue pots of chocolate and caramel. This is healthier than those packaged candy bars, anyway.
This Halloween can be a frightful experience with these eco-friendly tips. Plus, by making the holiday less of a burden on your wallet, you will most likely be making sustainable choices.
