Sustainable Practices for Halloween
By Kimmy Ngo
Halloween is a festive time for people of all ages, but to creep it real, it can create quite a bit of waste. Below are some of our favorite tips to develop sustainable habits while still keeping the spirits alive:
Candy
Treats are given out in individually wrapped packages, which can produce a grave amount of waste. It’s important to be mindful of the products you give out or receive, as many can be recycled if properly cleaned. Popular candies such as Pixie Sticks, Fun Dip, and Milk Duds are made out of paper packaging, while Hershey’s Kisses and other chocolate products come wrapped in 100% aluminum foil. If you’re out at an event and indulge in these tasty treats, be sure to dispose of wrappers accordingly. Most venues nowadays offer waste sorting bins!
Pumpkins
Jack-o-lanterns are wonderful adornments to your front door, but they’re also great because they are entirely biodegradable, from the seeds to the pumpkin itself. Once the holiday is over and your pumpkin is looking a little less than gourd-geous, they can be easily composted to provide nourishment for your garden. Pro-tip: When carving your pumpkins, you can save the seeds and roast them for a tasty snack. Bone appetit!
Parties
Our Verdical Group Events Team knows all about reducing waste at events, and every decision matters. Small changes can be implemented to reduce your carbon footprint, including sending digital invitations, opting for reusable dishes and cutlery versus disposable ones, and composting any leftover food. These little adjustments can contribute to a positive impact on the environment without taking away from your ghoulishly good time.
Reuse
Whether it’s decorations or costumes, save what you can to use in following years. Anything that can’t be saved can also be donated to local drives near you or organizations such as WEEN DREAM, which provides costumes to children in need.
Keep your spooks sustainable, and enjoy the howl-iday!
