Going Green This Halloween

There are a few things that we are going to be doing this year to "Go Green" this Halloween. 

• We will be putting Sam into the beautiful Jack-O-Lantern costume that Nana made him last year.  It still fits and he will be able to run and jump around.
• I like the idea of only giving one piece of candy per child.  Also, we will buy some pencils at Sam's Club to distribute instead of the candy.  Parents will like that more than candy to rot their teeth.
• I like the scarecrow idea below (#3).  I could use my old jeans that are WAY too big for me now.
• We are going to buy Sam a reusable fabric trick-or-treat bag that can be used for years and just needs washed between uses.  I just need to make sure that all the candy is removed before it goes in the wash.

3 Tips for going green this Halloween:

1. Reduce – Instead of handing out handfuls of candy to each little ghost and goblin, consider giving just one of something. You‟ll save money and your decision will likely be better for the health the children who come to your door (since they‟ll consume less) and for the planet since fewer resources will go into the making, packaging, transporting and/or disposal of the treat. Reducing can be applied to all of your holiday choices. And if you have reason to be concerned that your guests, kids, neighbors or husband will get scary on you when you announce your new plan to cut back on behalf of kids and the planet? Try reducing by just 25%. Chances are, no one will notice but you and your Mother Earth.

2. Reuse – Halloween could be the poster child for reusing. Nearly every aspect of the holiday can be celebrated in style without buying a single thing new. So don‟t rush out to buy costumes, décor and party games. Instead, stop and think. What can be reused or repurposed to make this holiday a smash hit without costing the planet? Rent, borrow or construct costumes from existing materials (making Halloween costumes from scratch can increase the fun factor, too), and keep your lawn ghouls and orange LED lights year after year. You might get tired of seeing them, but guaranteed, you‟re building a tradition – one the kids in your home and neighborhood will remember. You wouldn‟t want to mess with good memory making, now, would you?

3. Recycle – The best way to utilize the third and final R is to first, choose items that are made from recycled content instead of buying products made from raw or virgin materials. When the product you‟ve bought or acquired can no longer be used, it should be recycled. Recycling can happen in many ways such as through your waste management company, your compost pile (yes, most food can be recycled) or through your own creativity. Breathe new life into your husband‟s old flannel shirt and jeans, for example, by recycling them into a scarecrow for your front porch or a costume for your ten-year-old. And no matter what, always, always, compost made-by-nature Halloween décor such as wilting pumpkins and gourds instead of throwing them in the trash. Uneaten Halloween candy can also be “recycled” just be sure to remove the wrappers first.