Halloween is one of the most fun holidays, but did you know it dates back more than 2,000 years? That’s right. Originally a Celtic festival, it honored the end of the fall harvest. Things changed a little during medieval times, with the introduction of trick-or-treating. Even though, back then, you still approached a home dressed in costume, kids were given money to perform tricks. You could buy yourself a song or some other performance.
Although things have changed as far as a modern Halloween goes, the holiday has never really lost its roots. Since dressing up and trick-or-treating are still traditions that nobody wants to give up, here are some tips on approaching them from a greener perspective.
1. Reuse costumes
There are a lot of pieces involved in a Halloween costume that can get reused, from your costume down to the container you use to trick-or-treat. Instead of buying pre-made costume sets that you can only wear for one year, try getting costumes in pieces so you can reuse them by combining bits from one costume with another. If you were a ninja last year and a pirate the year before, use what you’ve got to create your own version of a Samurai Seafarer.
Have your children pass down costumes as they outgrow them, and don’t be afraid to let your kids raid your closet for pieces to make something totally original.
When costumes get too small for everyone in the family, make sure to donate them so someone else can reuse them.
When it’s time to head out for trick-or-treating, find a reusable container that will work year after year. A fun choice is an old pillowcase. Kids can decorate it and when Halloween is over, it folds up super small for easy storage.
2. DIY decorations
Many of the Halloween decorations you buy in a store are made from non-recyclable plastic. Instead of going this route, it’s pretty easy to make your own decor from items you can either compost or recycle. Some ideas include:
- Creating a display with extra pumpkins and other gourds on the front stoop.
- Collecting the used cardboard already in your home and transforming it into tombstones for your own homemade graveyard.
- Using old stockings to create spider webs (you may have to add a few runs).
- Taking black pipe cleaners and making spiders.
- Making handprints with red paint for a homemade creepy effect.
- Repurposing empty toilet paper rolls into bat bodies with construction paper wings.
3. Pick a local pumpkin
A pumpkin is already a great green decoration for Halloween since it’s compostable, but where you buy it matters too. You can reduce the emissions released into the air by only driving to a local pumpkin patch and only buying pumpkins that were locally grown. That way everyone, pumpkin included, is traveling a shorter distance.
Once carved, make an environmentally conscious choice in your candle selection to lighten up that jack-o-lantern by choosing a soy-based or beeswax candle.
If you really want to take your green Halloween practices to the next level, you can also grow your own pumpkin. You just need to make sure you have a lot of room for the vine to stretch out. You’ll also need to really think ahead since pumpkins get planted in either May or June.
4. Use the pumpkin seeds and pumpkin “meat”
After carving your perfect pumpkin, there’s usually a lot left over. This not only includes the pumpkin seeds, but all the “meat” you scraped out of the inside to thin the walls of your pumpkin for easier carving. There’s also all the bits you cut away.
Instead of throwing all this out, cook it up and use it to serve seasonally appropriate treats. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a delicious and healthy snack, and pumpkin pulp can go into cakes, muffins, and even soup.
5. Offer a candy-alternative
Yes, Halloween is synonymous with candy, but those fun-size treats create so much plastic waste. If you must do candy, seek out more ethical options. Pick candy that’s organic and non-GMO. You can look for brands that are ethically sourced and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, like our IMPACT COLLECTIVE partners.
If you don’t have to hand out candy, consider an alternative treat like Halloween-themed pencils, erasers or temporary tattoos.
6. Trick-or-treat locally
Another way to reduce your carbon emissions over Halloween is to be mindful of where you trick-or-treat. Instead of hopping in the car and driving to multiple neighborhoods, stick to your own, you won’t be disappointed with your candy haul.
If you typically drive to events, like a trunk-or-treat, pick only one to bring the family to instead of hitting them all.
7. Donate your extras
When Halloween is over and you realize your family has way too much candy, reduce your waste once again by donating the excess. You can even organize your whole neighborhood or apartment building to pool their candy and make a donation.
Some great organizations collect your candy and create care packages for active duty military. It’s a great way to pass on the good feelings of Halloween to those who are unable to celebrate with their families.
Have a happy Halloween
No matter how you celebrate, Halloween is one of those holidays where it’s easy to go green and keep having fun. In fact, cooking up those pumpkin leftovers, and making all your decorations yourself, may even make the holiday better!