Don't Spook Mother Nature

Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it's also a time when you can either trick - or treat - Mother Nature. These tips will help you treat the Earth right on this spooky night.

CostumesTrickortreat

Many of us spend hours planning the perfect costume but how often do we consider the environmental impact? Rather than buying a new costume for you or your child, make one out of clothing and fabrics you might already have. Turning old clothes into a new costume could start a great family arts and crafts project!

Also, you can regularly find vintage or retro clothing at thrift stores or your neighbor’s fall yard sales. Consider throwing a costume swap with children in the neighborhood to recycle last year’s costumes. And, when you’re done, donate your kids’ used costumes to day care centers or shelters.


Candy
Do you spend Halloween at home handing out candy? Try to find organic candies or check the nutritional label before purchasing. Also be sure to purchase candy with minimal wrapping and packaging to help eliminate or reduce waste.

Decorations Gourds
Ghouls, goblins, and gourds never go out of style so make sure to keep your Halloween decorations from year to year to help save money.

Fall farmer’s markets carry pumpkins, squash, and gourds of all varieties. They make beautiful organic decorations that can also be used for introducing new vegetables to your family’s diet!

Trick-or-Treating
If your children are going out to collect candy, make sure to send them out with reusable buckets, canvas bags or pillow cases. Not only are these items more environmentally friendly, but they hold more candy as well! Save gas and get some exercise by staying in your community and collecting candy from your neighbors. You’ll get a good workout and maybe meet some new neighbors!

Hosting a party
Start by sending out electronic invites instead of paper invites to your party. Encourage guests to bring a dish instead of bags of chips and cans of salsa to decrease trash and waste. If you’re throwing a party for adults, research the beer and wine you purchase before hand. Many alcoholic beverages are now made with organic grapes or barley!

Cleanup
Once Halloween is over, recycle your pumpkins, the straw you used to build scarecrows and any other organic material by composting it. For inedible items, add them to your composting pile (or start composting now!) for great, nutrient rich soil in the spring.



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