There's nothing spookier than holiday waste
The air is crisp, the rain is falling, and Halloween is calling! For most Americas this involves candy-bingeing and costume-buying, and ultimately prepares us for the mass consumerism that lasts through Christmas.
Last year, Americans spent $9.1 billion on Halloween alone, making 2017 a record-setting year of holiday spending. But if we stop to think about the resources that go into creating $9.1 billion worth of things, we can see the huge burden our holidays put on the planet.
It doesn't have to be this way. With minimal effort, everyone can be a Green Neighbor and reduce the impact of their Halloween costume. Here are five strategies to make your spooky costume a little more green this year:
- Trade with friends. Have a Halloween-themed swap where you can trade or borrow costumes and decorations.
- Buy used. Go to thrift stores, use Facebook marketplace, NextDoor or Craigslist to find local used goods. Check out our map of thrift stores here.
- Rent. Clothing rental stores often have more than tuxes and prom dresses; they have costumes too! Check out the local Center Stage Clothiers in downtown Vancouver.
- If you have to buy new, buy local. Avoid online buys with wasteful shipping. Check out our Green Business directory to see if they have what you need.
- Donate. When the day is done and Thanksgiving is upon us, donate your Halloween costume to a local non-profit thrift store so it can be reused for a good cause! Check out our map of thrift stores here.
Don't Forget to Compost Your Pumpkins
After Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns are great for your garden. Chop and bury pumpkin pieces in your raised garden bed, put pumpkins in your backyard compost bin or in your curbside yard debris cart. Candles, wax, foil and other contaminants must first be removed and discarded in the trash. Dispose of painted pumpkins in the trash – they cannot be composted.