Think Green for Halloween

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The final countdown to Halloween is on as the day creeps closer and closer, and while it’s time to get into the spirit of frightful fun, it’s also important to recognize that the holiday can be a real nightmare for the environment. From single-use costumes to plastic decorations and mountains of candy wrappers, the significant amount of waste that Halloween generates each year is nothing short of a horror show.

However, spooky season can still be your favorite with a few eco-friendly adjustments to celebrate more sustainably with the region’s air quality in mind. Here are a few insightful tips to ensure those tricks and treats don’t add up to a hefty impact on our planet:

  • Candy – While you’re out shopping for last-minute Halloween candy, consider trying to get organic options and opt for candy with minimal or recyclable packaging. Otherwise, forget candy altogether and give the kids another sustainable, healthy pre-packaged snack to keep kids happy without the added sugar rush. Additionally, if you’re hosting a Halloween party, forget about plastic wrapped candies and instead bake up some simple, fun treats for a boo-tiful spread.
  • Costumes – Store-bought costumes are often made up of nonrecyclable, petrochemical based plastic and synthetic fibers that release harmful toxins in their creation and breakdown. With a little creativity, leftover boxes, paper bags, fabric and other items around the house can be upcycled into costumes at little or no cost and make for a much more air quality-friendly option. If you’re looking for more inspiration, consider swapping costumes with friends or exploring secondhand stores for a thrifted option that your wallet and the planet will thank you for.
  • Decorations – Make a dent in the waste by creating your own homemade decorations with recycled household items. Solar-powered or LED lights will also help to conserve energy, as will refraining from using large, inflatable ghostly creatures that require running electricity to operate. Doing so will help cut down on costs and related emissions to help keep the air clean.
  • Pumpkins – Don’t let your jack-o’-lantern end up in a landfill once Halloween is over. Remember to compost your pumpkins to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that result from rotting in landfills. Once you’ve carved your pumpkin, save the pulp from inside for pies, muffins, soup and other tasty recipes, as well as the seeds that make for a sustainable fall snack when roasted with a bit of oil and salt.
  • Trick-or-Treat  Rather than drive to other neighborhoods to take the kids trick-or-treating, stick close to home this Halloween and walk from house to house to reduce fuel consumption and air pollution. If traveling by car is really the only way to join in the Halloween fun, try carpooling with friends or family to do your share for cleaner air. And don’t forget to re-purpose a tote bag, bucket or pillowcase to collect candies and further reduce environmental impact.

Keep green in mind for Halloween and continue to lead an eco-conscious lifestyle to help St. Louis area residents breathe easier. To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit the tips section of our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @gatewaycleanair.