A Green Halloween

Thursday, 29 October 2009 00:00

Environmental awareness is growing, and so is the Halloween celebration in Europe. Leading up to October 31, lots of money will be spent on paper party drops, plastics masks, costumes, crumpled candy wrappers, decorations – most of it being thrown in the trash the very next day. 9 billion pieces of candy corn was shipped to stores last October. So why not make Halloween green, too?

Fortunately, the idea is not brand new, and the green thinking is already growing in Halloween’s homeland US. There is plenty of advice on how to make a green, recycled Halloween. We have picked out a few ideas and listed some links below.

Food
- Focus on healthier, organic treats and seasonal foods.
- Choose fun treasures instead of conventional sweets. Think of the treasures children collect in their pockets - pretty rocks, feathers, etc.
- Pumpkins are not just decorative items. Pumpkin soups, pumpkin breads, muffins and pies, mashed pumpkins and pumpkin chili. Get inspired here.

Costumes
- Sometimes the best costumes come out of our own closets. Homemade is a great way to recycle, use your creativity and save bundles of money.
- Plan ahead to avoid last-minute shopping which often limits your choices.
- Name your Halloween costume “Go Green”!

Decorations
- Focus on reusable or recyclable ones
- Collect candy wrappers and turn them into gift items like purses, bracelets and picture frames. Find directions here.

Activities
- Do the trick-or-treat with emphasis on the 'treats': treating others or volunteering.
- Do the reverse trick-or-treat by giving out samples of fair-trade chocolates to adults.
- Green is all about recycling. Compost pumpkins and any other food, including leftover candy.
- Experience nature. Visit a pumpkin farm. Pick fresh apples. Talk a long walk outside. Look up at the sky. Notice the moon. Remember, it's Halloween…

Wondering if your Halloween is ghoulishly green or an eco-nightmare? Take Planetgreen’s special quiz How Green’s Your Halloween.

 

For more ideas:

GreenHalloween.org

Planet Green's Halloween Tips

Green Your Halloween