Oh, Halloween. It’s the one day of the year you can dose yourself in fake blood, don a few bursting warts, and make yourself sick on candy. It’s win-win…kind of. Unfortunately, when you get older, you realise it’s not all fun and games. Wrapped up in all this spooky festivity is a very simple fact: Halloween isn’t so green.
Unhealthy snacks, decorations and costumes bought and then thrown away… It’s a festive break calling out for some DIY, as well as materials that can be reused and recycled in the years to come.
Here’s how you can green-up your Halloween:
Get your spook on
No need to go all out on a new costume when you can put fake abrasions and burns on your face with a few simple items. The Horror Makeup Free app walks you though the steps, and, thanks to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, here’s some recipes for safe face paint. Another idea is to trade costumes with friends to save money and reduce the annual landfill that comes with this day (and night) of thrills.
Get all you can from Jack
Halloween wouldn’t be the same without a carved pumpkin or ten, and this app – 101 Pumpkin Carving Ideas – will show you how to make the craftiest jack-o-lantern on the block. But don’t throw away your leftovers! Save the innards for pumpkin puree, roast the seeds and compost the rest. Here’s a few tips and methods to help you on your way.
Trick or (green) treat
You don’t need to ditch the candy to reduce your environmental impact, but you can make some smart choices about what you give to kids. Handing over organic or fair trade treats is a good start, and baking your own food is also a winner (using the Halloween Recipe Book app will give you some ideas). Also, passing on recycled treasures instead of edible treats could limit the plastic wrappers and sore stomachs the next day.
