You quickly go over your list of items to get for your upcoming Halloween shindig: Decorations. Food. Lighting. Before you go shopping, though, one thing you may want to double-check is if your Halloween party materials are “green.” After all, your Halloween party is supposed to be scary for your guests, not for Mother Earth.
The good news is that protecting the earth while still having fun this Halloween couldn’t be easier (and no, we’re not trying to trick you). Here are a few simple steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and thus treat mankind to a healthier environment this Halloween season.
1. Check your candy
Instead of buying the “regular” candy you see in the
Halloween section at your local supermarket year after year, look for
fair-trade candy. Yes, this candy will cost you a little more. However, it’s an
excellent investment in Mother Earth. And the great news is that fair-trade chocolates
and other candies can easily be found at any major grocery store near you.
2. Check your decorations
Rather than buying brand-new decorations for your party from
a party store, consider making your own decorations using items you’ve placed
in your recycling bin. For example, an old cereal box can become an excellent
tombstone. And an aluminum can easily be painted in orange and black and used
as a candle holder.
3. Check your lighting.
Be sure to use light-emitting diode lights for your outdoor
and indoor décor. The great thing about these lights is that they use less
energy than their traditional counterparts but can still create that eerie
environment you’re going for. On top of this, these lights could easily last
for 40 Halloween seasons, so you’ll get your bang (or, bang in the night) for
your buck.
