How to GREEN Your Halloween

Going Green is something we can all attempt to do - all the time! With Halloween and the rest of the holidays coming up - it's time to think about what you can do to help save our resources. This Halloween - use these handy tips to keep make HALLOWWEEN GREEN!

Tip 1: Ditch the car an get out and walk! Do not drive around the neighborhood or from house to house. Park the car and walk with the kids as they trick or treat through the neighborhood.

Tip 2: Light up the night responsibly. If you use flashlights, power them with rechargeable batteries. Also opt for other, greener options like LED flashlights, glow sticks, and solar-powered lights that you can carry or wear.

Tip 3: Use reusable and eco-friendly trick-or-treating bags. The old pillowcase standby is always a good choice, as are small canvas tote bags decorated for Halloween. Or, transform an old plastic bucket or pail into a fun candy collecting container.

Tip 4: Did you know you can wear eco-friendly costumes? This tip is two benefits in one - saving resources - AND saving money! Simply rent, borrow from friends or just dive into your closet and see what clothes could create an awesome costume and not only does it save some resources - it cost much less!

Tip 5: Say no to litter. Keep neighborhoods clean and make sure your kids don't drop candy wrappers as they trick or treat. If you see someone else has dropped wrappers, pick them up and dispose of them properly.

Tip 6: Recycle and repurpose what you can. Most candy wrappers are not recyclable so they usually get tossed in the trash. See what other fun options you can come up with before throwing them away, such as making a candy wrapper collage.

Tip 7: Recycle all that extra candy... Give some candy to the less fortunate, or mail to the local shelter. A great idea is to get the kids involved and decorate a candy box and mail it to our troops overseas.

Tip 8: Make full use of your entire pumpkin by roasting the seeds, turning the innards into soups or pies, and composting the jack-o-lantern carcass when you're done.

Tip 9: Keep it simple. When you're buying treats to give out, choose items that come in a minimum amount of packaging. Some folks skip the candy altogether in favor of use-able treats like pencils, pens, funky erasers and even nickels!

Have fun, stay safe - and GREEN YOUR HALLOWEEN!