Like all holidays, Halloween will soon be upon us with all of its color, candy, and kids looking for tricks and treats.
We all know how much waste the scary holiday can have on the earth with all its plastic, non-degradable costumes and decorations, as well as all those teeth-rotting candies that have all manner of chemicals in them.
So what's an eco-family to do during Halloween? Here are five tips for making your Halloween much more eco-friendly.
Serve Organic Treats The treats are the most important part of the night, right? Kids love all kinds of candy from their night out, so instead of the regular old chocolate, how about serving them organic, free-trade chocolate - it tastes just as good as the regular store chocolate, without all the chemicals and preservatives.
Choose candies that are made with natural juices, cane sugar, and natural colors to ensure kids are getting quality treats.
If you don't want to hand out candy, make your own toys to hand out, or useful items like pencils or even soy crayons.
Up-Cycle Costumes, Then Give Them Away We all know those cheap costumes at the store are made of non-biodegradable material that is made with dangerous chemicals that are harmful to kids.
Instead of buying, there is plenty of material in your own house that can be remade for great kids' costumes.
For example, old pillowcases can be remade into superhero capes, and recycled cardboard can be cut into any kind of shape.
And don't discount the local thrift store for ideas on costumes, as well as having extra materials for any ideas you have.
Use Natural and/or Recycled Decorations Like costumes, Halloween decorations are made from non-recyclable materials that can be harmful in the long run, so the rule is to not even buy them at all! Natural products like corn husks, straw bales, gourds, and yes, even pumpkins look great as decoration, and they can be added to the compost pile as soon as the holiday is over.
Keep an eye out for reusable decorations made from recycled materials that can have a long life and can reduce waster overall.
Walk the Trick or Treat Route Walking your kids around the neighborhood for their treats isn't just good for you, it's good for the environment.
Instead of driving your car, go a little greener and walk your kids around the neighborhood.
You just might get to know your neighbors a little better, too.
Your kids get to see everybody else's costumes, and it's a nice bonding experience with your little ones.
Install Solar-Powered Lights in and Around Your Home What better time than in the fall to final install those solar-powered lamps to light the way to your house.
It'll tell the kids there's treats to be found, and you'll save a lot of money in the long run.
Installing solar-powered lights in the front of your house is also a good idea to save even more money.