Trick-or-treating has a frightening impact on the environment. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spend upwards of $5 billion on the spooky celebration annually - that adds up to a lot of plastic masks, candy wrappers and fake tombstones.
Here are a few tips for making the black-and-orange holiday a little more green:
1. Green the goodies:
Think of all the candy wrappers that one little goblin throws in the trash - then multiply that number by the millions of trick-or-treaters who are happily gobbling up their stash. Offer organic apples from the farmers market or buy treats in bulk to minimize packaging waste.
2. Come Up With a New Costume
Skip the racks of colorful costumes at the mall (most of them are made of non-renewable materials like plastic) and come up with a creative idea for a homemade costume. Add a bandana to a pair of jeans and a denim shirt for an instant cowboy costume, or put on your wedding dress and go as the Bride of Frankenstein. Another option is to host a costume swap with the neighbors. The costumes their kids have outgrown might be the perfect fit for your little one.
3. Choose Natural Decorations
Bails of straw, colorful mums and a handful of gourds are great seasonal decorations that can be composted on Nov. 1. If scary witches hanging from the oak tree and plastic pumpkins on the front step are a must-have, scour secondhand stores.
|
