Green Halloween

Celebrating a Green Halloween

Halloween is black and orange. It can be green, too! Here are things you can do to make a scary time of year more sustainable.

Pumpkins
Search the Minnesota Grown Directory for local farms and farmers' markets selling pumpkins in your area. Look for organically grown pumpkins, too.
When the fun is over, put your jack o' lantern in your compost bin.
Some communities have pumpkin collection events. Pumpkins are collected for animal feed. Ask your city or local hauler if such an event exisits in your area.
Costumes
Make your own, with supplies from second-hand and thrift stores, as well as stuff you find during fall cleaning. For ideas, check out Coolest-Homemade-Costumes.com.
Swap costumes with your friends and neighbors. You could even throw a "find a costume" party before Halloween.
Rent a costume.
Treats
Look at the co-op or natural foods section of the grocery store for treats that have minimum or recycled-content packaging.
Hand out treats that can be used again and again, like pencils or small boxes of crayons.
Start a Trash Brigade through TerraCycle. TerraCycle collects common trash items (like candy wrappers) and creates everyday recycled products.
Arm your trick-or-treaters with reusable treat bags. Canvas shopping bags or pillowcases work well.
Hopefully, Halloween this year can be a treat for the planet, too!

Living Green 365