How do you go green at Halloween? It’s easy really.

Forgo those orange plastic pumpkin buckets. While they are cute, a lot of petroleum goes into their production and how many do you think get tossed in a landfill? A lot! Make your own Halloween bags or buy one they can use all the time or at least every year. besides, those buckets don’t hold a lot of goodies. Remember when we used pillowcases? Take an old one and decorate it. If you use washable markers, you can actually sleep on that pillowcase again.

Don’t drive – walk. With all the kiddies out trick or treating, if parents drove along side, that would me a lot of fumes being emitted. If you can’t walk in your neighborhood, find one you and your little ones can walk. Every year, the neighbors get together and we all walk together in a big group. It’s really a lot of fun!

Use old materials to make ghoulish decorations. Some ideas:

• Cut out Halloween patterns in a small paper bag, place sand at the bottom, add a votive candle (made with soy or natural wax), and presto—an easy green light source.
• Use old bed sheets to make ghosts or tablecloths.
• Use newspaper as stuffing for witches’ arms and legs.
• Paint cardboard boxes with low-VOC paint and transform them into gravestones or coffins.
• Decorate tables with gourds, pumpkins, apples, leaves and branches

Don’t throw away those pumpkins seeds. They make a nutritious and delicious snack! All it takes is a warm oven, a cookie sheet, salt and olive oil. Then roast for 30 minutes in the oven. The rest of the pumpkin’s insides make perfect compost, as does the entire pumpkin after it has served its time as a jack-o’-lantern.

When the doorbell rings, welcome trick-or-treaters with tasty treasures that won’t scare the earth. Some of the basics: Look for organic, as well as no artificial flavors or colors. I wish more people did this, as my son is not allowed to eat them!  Consider handing out sinfully delicious organic chocolates, natural lollipops and whole-grain granola bars. You might even offer some non-edible options that kids can enjoy well after the candy is eaten. I hand out bouncy balls, spider rings and googly bands. While they might not be great for the environment, I like non food items too.

Make your own costumes!Most store-bought masks are made from PVC, which is not only bad for the earth but bad for your health. Store-bought costumes are also made from low-cost polyester, derived from petroleum. Instead, look for costumes that use naturally sourced material like bamboo, hemp, organic cotton and wool. Better yet, make your own! Here are a few ideas:

• Convert an old prom or bridesmaid dress into a Barbie or Tinkerbell costume.
• Stuff stockings with socks to make spider or turtle legs.
• Grab a graduation gown and add a scarf, tree branch (wand) and glasses to turn your child into Harry Potter.

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How green will you be this Halloween?  Any other ideas?

Some info and pictures were taken from iVillage.