Halloween is right around the corner and before you know it, you’ll be getting handfuls of little four-foot monsters, ghosts, and ghouls knocking on your door. And that means a lot of candy with questionable ingredients and excessive waste. Here at Foerstel we are committed to helping you live a healthier lifestyle with a reduced impact on Mother Earth, so we’d like to share some tips on how to have a ‘greener’ Halloween!
candy + treats
Look for natural candy and when possible Fair Trade certified sweets. A great resource for this is Natural Candy Store, a family-run business located in California and THE online place to go to find vegan and organic candy. All of the items are clearly marked with symbols to identify what categories they fall into, including those made in the US. Additionally, every piece they sell contains NO artificial colors or dyes, NO artificial flavors, NO artificial sweeteners, NO preservatives, NO hydrogenated oils. Check them out, you still have a several days to place your order just in time for Halloween.
energy themed jack-o-lanterns
This year ,show your dedication to reducing energy usage! In lieu of a scary face or spider, opt to carve a pumpkin with an energy theme. Choose from five downloadable designs by EnergySaver.gov and then use flameless LED to illuminate.
toting your treats
Easily grab a reusable grocery bag or decorate a paper bag or get creative this time around and make your own candy bucket out of recycled items found around your home using this treat bucket tutorial.
costumes
Check your local area for costume swaps, borrow costumes from friends, get creative and make your own – Pinterest is a great source for inspiration, visit a local thrift store where you’ll save money and reduce packaging waste. Also, be sure to avoid any costumes containing PVC, which is harmful to the environment and you.
Swapping half of the costumes kids wear at Halloween
would reduce annual landfill waste by 6, 250 tons,
equal to the weight of 2,500 mid-sized cars*
*via Bob Lilienfeld, based on data from U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Transportation. Assumes costume weight of 1 pound