Halloween is the 8th largest card-sending occasion. Over 28 million Halloween cards are sent each year! Try to use recycled paper cards or make your own.
Tricks and Treats for a Green Halloween
Sure, witches, ghosts, and ghouls are scary, but so is the amount of pollution
and waste created during popular holidays like Halloween.
Here are a few tips for making your Halloween a green one
that can help save you money and help save mother nature,
too.
Carry reusable candy bags such as
pillow cases or canvas bags that you and your kids can decorate
and use again next year. They are more sturdy than plastic bags
too.
Be creative and make your costumes
rather than buying them from a store. These prepackaged purchases
are usually loaded with plastic, from the cloth to the many
accessories. Or head to your local thrift store for some bargains,
and donate your costume back when you're done or pass it on
to other friends and family members.
Use rechargeable batteries in your
flashlight as you trek along your trick or treating path. There
are also flashlights that you can just shake and charge, requiring
no batteries at all.
Plan a green Halloween party by
including reusable items like utensils, plates, tablecloths.
When filling the goodie bowl, try purchasing candy with less
wrapping. Better yet, make some homemade treats like cookies,
candied apples or caramel popcorn for your guests—these require
no plastic but create just as many grins...and cavities.
Make your own decorations or recycle
last year's. If you're feeling ambitious, make your own, such
as shrunken apple heads, out of materials you have around the
house. Simply peel, carve, and soak apples in 1 cup of lemon
juice with 1 tablespoon of salt and let them sit and shrivel.
When the party's over, just toss them into the compost.
Be a pumpkin eater and make use
of those jack-o-lantern leftovers, which are also chockful
of vitamins. The seeds also make excellent eating for birds
and humans alike-- just dry them in the oven for a toasty
treat. When buying your pumpkin, head to your local farmer's
market or pick your own at an actual farm where you'll be
supporting local growers and having a lot of fun.