Going GREEN This Halloween

Halloween is quickly approaching. And by all accounts, it is not a very eco-friendly holiday! It is estimated that Americans will spend close to 6 billion dollars on Halloween – on everything from expendable costumes and decorations to individually wrapped candy. So here are a few ideas for a “Green Halloween”……

Start with your costume. Some of the best costumes I had growing up were made from stuff we already had in the house. I remember three of my favorite Halloweens. I was a hobo, a ballerina and a scarecrow. All were easily made from items stuffed in the back of my closet. One year, I painted an old refrigerator box as a "Fruit Loops Cereal" box - and cut holes for my head and arms. (talk about getting good use out of a box - get a fridge, wear it, then recycle it!) Search the web for some great Halloween costume ideas, then shop the thrift stores, your closet – or even better- your parents or friends closets! You can then “recycle” the costume by donating them back to Goodwill or another thrift store.

Decorating for Halloween is fun, but keeping it simple is much better for the environment! Try to resist the urge to buy out the Halloween decorating aisle. Purchase just one or two high quality Halloween decorations and re-use them each year. Simple sheets turned into ghosts swaying in the breeze are sure to elicit many shrieks from trick or treaters. Cotton balls can be made into great spider webs and leaves and candles can be turned into a spooky fall arrangement. Turn most of the lights off in your house (save some energy) light some candles – and a fun and scary Halloween scene will be set.

If you carve a pumpkin – be sure to save the seeds and roast them! They are delicious, just remember to add a little salt. The “guts” of the pumpkin can be turned into pumpkin puree and used to make delicious pies, bread, muffins and pancakes. Certainly you are into natural beauty - check out these organic skin treatments using pumpkin! And don’t throw your pumpkin away – remember to toss it into your compost heap.

Finally, instead of passing out candy – hand out “earth friendly” things. Pencils, fun erasers or sidewalk chalk are great candy alternatives. Or, to really help beautify the planet – pass out seeds that the little trick or treaters can plant.

So many simple ways to have a frightfully good Halloween – and help save the planet, too! For more information on a cool grassroots movement to make holidays more eco-friendly - check out Green Halloween!