Refried Greens – with a few fresh tweaks, here’s a post we’ve resurrected from our bed of Rose archives for all you aspiring witches and howlin’ wolves…

As we say here at altCon, Happy Hallowgreen!  It’s that scary time of year. The pumpkins are out, the candy is everywhere you turn and you’re constantly trying to answer that same old question: “What are you going to be for Halloween?” October 31st is notoriously wasteful: individually wrapped candies, one-time-use costumes, lights on all night, not to mention all that wasted toilet paper and eggs. It doesn’t have to be all waste and gluttony though, with a few simple tips you can have a body- and planet-friendly Halloween without sacrificing any of the ghoulish fun.

Door to Door Tricks & Treats

• Rather than giving out individually wrapped candies, dole out little treasures instead. Kids get a kick out of polished rocks, seashells, pencils, erasers etc.
• Okay – if you’re afraid the kids might egg your house for not giving candy, consider Fair Trade chocolate such as Endangered Species chocolates – (specially sized and priced for Halloween) or check out this wide array of organic halloween candy.
• Make sure your kids use pillow cases or reusable bags when they trick-or-treat, rather than plastic pumpkins.  Want to get creative without sewing?  Cheap & Easy Make Your Own Treat Bags.  Or order these adorable Felt Treat bags from Etsy.
• Give kids shakeable LED flashlights, they’re fun, the LED’s last for years and they keep batteries out of the earth!
• Remind everyone not to litter – wrappers are easily dropped in the frenzy of candy consumption.
• This might be a hard sell, but Global Exchange’s Reverse Trick-or-Treating campaign is a great way to teach your neighborhood about sustainability.

Costumes and Decorations

 
• Don’t slather on face paint unless it’s made of body-friendly ingredients. Pick up some non-toxic face paint instead.
• Don’t buy stuff that can’t be used after Nov. 1st. Look for things you can reuse and recycle, rather than things you’ll just have to throw away.
• Either dig through your closet & attic and get creative; or get your costume from a second hand store, and then donate it back when you’re done!
• Check out a local costume swap or true bargains at your local SwapOramarama.
• Avoid face masks made of plastic – they may be toxic.  Use alternatives made of felt and natural materials or opt for a classy masquerade-style mask.
• Save electricity and create ambiance – Use candles, (strategically placed) rather than lights – bees wax or soy (not petroleum) with cotton wicks for a cleaner burn.
• Use what you have already to make spooky decorations: old stockings can morph into spider webs, packing peanuts can be painted like worms and cardboard boxes can transform into tombstones.
• If you don’t have time to DIY, buy fair trade decorations (yes, they do exist!) There’s an elegant hanging tea light for year-round use, at world of good.
• Go local – pick your holiday pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks at a local farm.
• Carve with the help of nifty WWF Stencils, which you can download for free.
• Take a peek at greenhalloween.org for a host of other theme ideas.

Having a party?

• Send e-vites, not paper invitations
• Get sustainably stylish – if you can’t use real dinner ware – use recycled, biodegradable or reusable plates, cups and silverware; ie: (barebysolo.com)
• Serve healthy, locally-sourced, seasonal food. Pumpkins and other gourds are great not just for decorations, but for eating, too — (roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie).
• Homemade apple cider and organic caramel apples are great as both kiddie and adult treats.
• Speaking of adults, if you’d like to raise the (chocolate) bar, try organic and Fair Trade, Theo Chocolate.  Especially their Full Moon Bar, Ghost Bar, Apple Cider Caramel Bar, Spooky Marshmallows or traditional Peanut Butter Buddies – all available through October 31st.

Remember, Halloween is a great way to step out of the box and get creative. Why not do it in a sustainable way? Saving the world takes more than just superman (who you might even be able to meet October 31st), it takes a little bit of thought from everyone. Chances are, most kids won’t even notice the changes, and you’ll be able to boast the greenest Halloween on your block.