Eco-Friendly Greener Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner and if you're anything like me, you're feeling a little overwhelmed by having fun while being environmentally friendly. Things like getting a costume, decorations, and what to do with it all at the end. I have some tips on how to manage it all.
We all love going out and buying pumpkins and mums for our porches, and putting fun decorations around the house. Did you know that squash can release methane gases in landfills. Since a pumpkin is larger than other organic compounds, it leaves a significant impact. Most people do not eat the fruit; instead, they use it purely for decoration. Instead of putting your pumpkin in the trash, fresh pumpkins can be cooked, while older pumpkins can be fed to wildlife. You can also use the decoration as compost. For indoor decorations, be sure to buy things you can use year after year to reduce the amount you buy and less ending up in landfills.
Ditch the grocery store mums for your porch and get mums for your garden to have that fall color without the waste. Amy Enfield, a horticulturist for Miracle-Gro, says garden mums should be planted outdoors by late summer or early fall so the roots have time to form before the soil freezes. Also known as hardy or Belgian mums, garden mums are sold in garden centers and nurseries. They're perennials in USDA Zones 5 to 9. But even when they're planted at the right time, they need a few other things, like excellent drainage.
It's fun dressing up but it can be wasteful buying an expensive costume every year. Here are three ways to make your Halloween costumes eco-friendly.
1. Neighborhood Costume Swap
Green Halloween is all about having fun while reducing your carbon footprint. Chances are there are other people and kids in your neighborhood that have liked the same characters but maybe have outgrown them or do not plan on wearing them again. Get your neighbors together and bring outgrown costumes to swap.
2. Second-hand
If you don't already know about the wonders of second-hand stores, now is the time to start exploring them! Thrift stores are full of costumes, so you can find everything from princess gowns to superheroes at a fraction of the price. You might even find something really interesting!
3. Make a Costume Out of Homemade Items
If you've got any crafting skills or just want to try something new, why not make your own costume? You can use things like old clothing as material, decorate them with buttons or ribbons, draw on them with markers—whatever suits your fancy! And it's always fun when everyone gets into making a one of a kind costume. Pinterest is a great place to look for ideas for homemade costumes.
I hope you have a Happy and Green Halloween!
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