• This article was contributed by Ashley Broussard, intern with the Kane County Division of Environmental and Water Resources.

Around holidays, it can often be hard to plan sustainably. For Halloween this year, I’ve come up with a few tips in order to have fun and stay green.

Pumpkins

2017 Pumpkin Recycling Event

• Use the whole pumpkin. After making your jack-o’-lantern, don’t toss out the seeds. Instead, look up flavorful fall recipes you can make with the seeds. Here’s 39 recipes to keep it interesting.
• Once Halloween is over, take your pumpkin to be composted at our Pumpkin Squash and Recycling event on Saturday, Nov. 3.
• For an added bonus — buy your pumpkin local!

2017 Pumpkin Recycling Event

Costumes

• Get crafty! Instead of purchasing a costume, create one from objects you already have.
• Get thrifty. Don’t overspend on a costume you will only get one or two wears from this season. Instead, head over to your local thrift store. Once you’re done with your costume, if you don’t plan on keeping it, donate it. This prevents the costume from creating landfill waste and supports recycling efforts.

Reusable Bags

• Have your children take reusable bags to collect candy! If you don’t have a reusable bag handy, use a pillowcase for maximum candy capacity, or make your own from an old T-shirt.

Candy

• Support fair trade.

Unfortunately, most bulk candy on the market doesn’t support fair labor conditions. If you buy from a company that is not fair trade, you could be supporting child labor, slave labor, or other unethical practices.

Talk about scary. By buying fair trade candy, your can be confident your purchase is supporting companies that give their workers’ fair rights. Look for the fair trade label on the package.

• Provide goodies other than candy.

One of my favorite Halloween ideas is making rock crayons as trick or treat option. Get rid of the leftover crayon nubs you’ve been saving and give them a new life. This also helps make Halloween fun for children with food allergies.

Don’t forget, if you pass out goodies that are allergen-free—label your house with a teal pumpkin to let parents know! Check out the families that have already registered their homes as allergen friendly near you.

Remember to stay safe and have fun this Halloween!

Read More

• UPDATE: Complete List of 2018 Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Hours in Kane County, IL
• Oct. 15-21 UPDATE: Halloween Happenings in This Week’s Fall Events Guide
• Illinois’ Favorite Halloween Candy Is … What?
• KCAC’s Top 7 Do’s and Don’ts for Pets on Halloween