When you think of Halloween, you probably envision candy, scary movies and trick-or-treating, but what about sustainability? From costumes to decorations, Halloween actually provides a great opportunity to put sustainable practices into action.
How to be “Green” this Halloween
- Make your Halloween costume from used clothing (search your closet or visit a thrift store) or recycled materials, instead of purchasing one.
- Use LED or solar lights, if you plan on decorating with lights.
- Decorate your home with recycled materials or natural items, such as gourds and pumpkins.
- Buy your pumpkins, squash and other Halloween-inspired vegetables locally, instead of shopping at a large grocery store.
- Collect candy with a reusable bag.
- Use the flesh from your jack-o’-lantern to make a pumpkin pie, and roast the seeds for snacking.
- Reuse or donate costumes and decorations for next year.
- Send out party invitations electronically rather than in the mail.
- Consider throwing a “zero” waste party—everything is either used or recycled.
Remember, all it takes is a little creativity to incorporate sustainable practices into holiday festivities!
Adapted and excerpted from:
“Campus Sustainability: Tips for a Green Halloween,” University of Nevada, Reno (Accessed 09/2015).
“6 tips for a greener Halloween,” Harvard Office for Sustainability (Accessed 09/2015).
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