Go Green on Halloween
Whether buying food, treats, treasures or prizes for your Green Halloween party, thinking green is just as much about what you don’t buy as what you do buy. Reducing the amount of waste we generate by cutting down on excessive shopping is not only better for our planet (and easier on our wallets) but reducing the number of products we purchase also teaches our children the art of simplicity as well the value of moderation.
When purchasing items for your Green Halloween, it may help to consider whether the items you’re buying are of quality and can therefore be enjoyed past November 1st. If not, can the items be reused or recycled? In addition, look for products that meet one or more of the following green criteria:
*Kid Healthy
- Organic or pesticide-free
- Food items are made from healthy and whole ingredients and do not include hydrogenated oils, trans-fats, artificial colors or flavors. The items have limited or no salt, sugar or caffeine (including chocolate)
- Non-food items are made from safe materials and do not pose any suspected immediate or long-term health risks
*Planet Healthy
- Made with Earth-friendly practices, such as by organic farming
- Preference given to locally grown or made goods (which alleviates environmental impact from shipping.) Get to know your local farmers and shop with them as often as possible.
- Non-food items are made from Earth friendly materials such as sustainably harvested wood or recycled plastic
- The item contains as little packaging as possible
*People Friendly
- The people making the items earn fair wages and work in safe conditions (ideally, imported goods are certified Fair Trade)
It can be difficult to find products that meet all three criteria, so we suggest that parents try to consider one or more factors when shopping for Halloween. We also believe that when consumers continue to request that these items are readily available and affordable, businesses will step up to meet the rising demand.
Green shopping tips: Every little thing counts when it comes to making green choices.
- Always bring your own cloth or recycled plastic bags with you when shopping for food, gifts, treats or treasures.
- If you generally drive to do errands, try to get your shopping done all at once, rather than taking many short outings. You’ll save on gas and money while reducing your contribution to pollution and global warming.
- Of course, if you can walk, ride your bike, carpool, or take public transportation, you’ll leave an even smaller eco-footprintbehind.
- Most importantly, if you can go without – do! Nothing could be greener than focusing on people rather than things.
Adapted from greenhalloween.org.
