Simple Ways to Green Your Halloween

Greening your Halloween is easy- just apply the three ‘R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

1.       Costumes

• Create costumes from recycled or reused items and clothing. If you don’t have anything in your closet or attic, you can always visit your local consignment or thrift store.  This saves money and can be lots of fun!
• Have a costume swap with your friends and/or co-workers.

2.       Decorations

• Use recyclable or reusable items like newspaper, leaves, branches, twigs, cardboard boxes, etc. for decorations.  
• Also, use fluorescent light bulbs and/or LED lights.

3.       Food

• Consider swapping some of the traditional sugary sweets for organic candies. 
• Making simple changes, like swapping milk chocolate candies for dark chocolate candies, allow you to have healthier treats without compromising taste.

4.       Organized activities

• Instead of hosting an elaborate party, find fun ways to celebrate without spending a lot of money or using a lot of resources, e.g., going to free carnivals or walking around your neighborhood with your family and/or friends to check out Halloween decorations.

5.       Party Supplies

• If you decide to have a party, consider using reusable utensils, plates, napkins and tablecloths instead of disposable ones. 
• Reuse your Halloween decorations the same way that Christmas ornaments and decorations are reused from year after year.

6.       Transportation

• Where possible, ride a bike or use public transportation to get to Halloween parties or Trick-or-Treating.
• If you have to drive, consider carpooling to reduce traffic, air pollution and gasoline consumption.

7.       Trick-or-Treating

• Again, walking is a great way to sneak in some exercise, not to mention it saves gas ($$)
• Don’t forget your reusable shopping bag to collect your goodies!

Elena White is the founder and editor of  Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother.  Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.