Looking to clean up your act this Halloween? Hoping to have some ghoulish fun with an “earthy” twist? Why not try some of these ideas for an eco-friendly Halloween this year?
Trick or Treating “Outside the Box”
One of the easiest ways to help the environment this Halloween is to walk to your destinations for trick-or-treating. If you’re a “mobile trick-or-treater,” ditch the car this year and put on those walking shoes. Head out with your children on foot instead of by car to help eliminate unnecessary fuel use. Consider taking along a wagon or stroller for your littlest trick-or-treaters who might need a foot break, too.
If you feel bogged down by too much candy during the Halloween holiday, there are ways to avoid a sugary overload. Many dentist and orthodontist offices will pay children by the pound for donated candy. Check with your local doctors to see if they participate in these kinds of programs. Less candy at home means less wrappers and less waste, too.
Opt to give out an earth-friendly treat this year. The little goblins and ghouls at your door might just appreciate something different. Instead of candy, try giving out funky pencils, mini boxes of crayons, bags of pumpkin seeds or jack-be-little pumpkins.
Do-it-Yourself Costumes Take the Cake
Store bought costumes can put a strain on your wallet and leave you with a closet full of unwanted, poorly made outfits. Cut down on excess baggage in your closets by creating a costume with your child. Nothing is more eco-friendly than a recycled robot costume! Made with just a few cardboard boxes, tin foil and bottle tops, the entire costume can be broken down and recycled when Halloween is over. Search “handmade Halloween costumes” on Pinterest for hundreds of ideas and suggestions.
Throw a Green Halloween Party
Do it the old-fashioned way with classic games like bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving and pumpkin seed tossing (or spitting!). Instead of goodie bags, send each guest home with a packet of seeds for planting (think fall, like pumpkins or mums). If it’s a costume party, encourage or require your guests to arrive in home-made costumes, possibly offering prizes as incentives (pumpkins, cider donuts or fall flowers make for great, eco-friendly winnings!).
In short, small changes make a big difference. Trying just a few of these ideas this Halloween is a step in the right direction for a greener, healthier holiday.
