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How to Green Your Halloween

girlfriendfactory by girlfriendfactory
Last updated: 01/18/2012

Help the Planet This Halloween!

In today's Earth-conscience atmosphere, if you're not doing something to reduce, reuse or recycle, then you're out of step, and leaving behind a bigger carbon footprint than most. And no, you need not be a liberal, free-loving hippie tree-hugger to participate. Everyone should pitch in ~ not because you do or don't believe in climate change or the melting of polar ice, but because it's economically advantageous and the right thing to do.

Top 5 Ways to "Green" Your Halloween!

don't miss the 5 additional tips below

  1. Carve jack-o'-lanterns from real pumpkins, grown locally, instead of plugging in artificial ones. To give them a spooky glow use soy or beeswax candles that last longer than paraffin candles (and they don't emit toxins into the air).
    Not only do you save electricity, it's more fun because you can bake the pumpkin seeds, too!
  2. Light up decorations should be plugged into power strips that utilize timers to turn them on and off (make sure to use special outdoor power strips for outside).
    Now if you fall asleep you won't have to worry about waking up the next morning with them still lit and worry about all of the electricity you wasted. Good for the bank account and your relationship with your neighbors.
  3. Decorate inside and outside with natural materials ~ hay bales, corn stalks, Indian corn, pumpkins, squash, autumn leaves, planted or potted flowers (just don't pot in plastic), etc.
    Many of these items can be broken down later and used as mulch or compost.
  4. Make costumes from items you already have or can borrow instead of purchasing items from a retailer. The costumes will definitely be more unique and will give everyone a chance to show off their creative side. Check out Eco-Friendly & Cheap Halloween Costumes for some great ideas and also Cardboard Box Halloween Costumes.
    Not only will you be reusing items you already have but it's a great opportunity to enjoy some time with the kids!
  5. Use a pillow case or treat bag made from material (especially organic material) instead of using a plastic pumpkin or other such item. Even better, reuse one from a previous year or one you use for groceries (if you do that).
    Since most plastics take several lifetimes to biodegrade, you're keeping it out of landfills. Even plastic that can be recycled involves a costly process and cannot be recycled into the same grade of plastic.

Zazzle Trick-or-Treat Bags

by yours truly

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5 More Keen Green Ideas to Glean!

who could have ever forseen?

  1. Don't drive the kids around to trick-or-treat. If your neighborhood isn't the ideal place for Halloween fun and walking around is out of the question, gather them and a few friends and head to the mall for trick-or-treating (call first to check hours, etc.). If they don't trick-or-treat, host a Halloween party or take a group to a sponsored event. Many bowling alleys, mini-golf places, amusement parks, family fun centers, community centers, churches, schools, etc., offer fun alternatives to going door to door collecting candy.
    Carpooling is definitely green, just remember to turn out the front porch light!
  2. Instead of sitting inside with all the lights on, watching television and snacking on the Halloween treats, grab a chair, your bowl of treats, a spouse/friend/neighbor, turn off the inside lights and sit outside to await the arrival of the trick-or-treaters. It's a great way to spend time with people and also creates an aura of safety in your neighborhood.
    You'll save electricity and hopefully help your waistline by not eating so many candy bars!
  3. If you must stay inside, use only a few lights and switch to energy saving bulbs where possible, even outside. You can even create more Halloween spookiness by turning off all lights except the porch light and playing some eerie Halloween sounds or music.
    CFL (compact florescent lamps) and LED (light-emitting diodes) lamps both save money and energy in the long run and have many advantages over traditional incandescent lamps, but you need to investigate them before determining which works best for your lighting needs. In any case, only use the lighting you need and turn off the lights in rooms you're not using.
  4. Try green alternatives to handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Our family is a huge fan of giving out pencils or small game booklets made from recycled materials and the kids seem to love them more than sweets.
    Buying recycled products helps reduce the need to cut down more trees ~ you know, the trees that help the planet and all living creatures with oxygen, shade, retention of moisture, and more? Plus you're helping other parents by not giving out junk food.
  5. Before the Halloween haunting begins, fill the family up with an environmentally friendly dinner. Buy foods that are grown locally (they taste better anyway) and buy organic when you can. Not only will a good meal help squash the desire to did in to the candy later, it's the perfect time to discuss Halloween safety and rules. Look at Organic Food Guides for a bounty of information on going organic.
    Locally grown food takes less time to reach the consumer, so it's better for you and uses less everything to transport and organic foods follow strict guidelines about using toxic pesticides which hurt the environment.

Energy Saving LED Lighting

initially pricey, but the overall savings is worth it

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Halloween Music

spooky sounds to entertain you

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Eco-Friendly Halloween Handouts!

fun for the kids, good for the environment

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How Will You "Green" Halloween?

you are planning on saving the Earth, aren't you?

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This Halloween Magazine page written by

girlfriendfactory

Hi, I'm Ren ~ the artistically reclined designer of The Girlfriend Factory, maker of a mean chicken salad, giver of Flyby Wingings, admirer of cardboard... more »

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