Green is the New Orange this Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and in the next few weeks, residents will begin transforming their homes into haunted castles. Before they do, Waste Management of Southern California wants to remind residents that there are several ways in which they can get into the spooky spirit without scaring off Mother Nature.

“Between the candy, costumes and decorations that are typically used once before being tossed to the curb, Halloween is notorious for accumulating trash,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “To help keep the spirit of the holiday without making it a nightmare for the environment, we’re offering our customers a handful of tips that they can easily use to reduce waste and be green during the Halloween season!”

Zombies, princesses and superheroes can keep their Halloween celebrations festive and eco-friendly by using the following tips from Waste Management:

• Give your pumpkin a second life. Instead of tossing your used jack-o-lantern to the curb after Halloween, remove the candle and add it to a compost pile. Organic waste, such as unwanted pumpkins and fallen leaves, is nutrient rich and can help enrich fertilizer and produce healthier lawns, plants and flowers.
• Hand out eco-friendly treats. Health food stores offer a wide range of candy from organic chocolates to organic lollipops. These tasty treats are produced using methods that are not damaging to the environment.
• Use recyclable bags for your trick-or-treaters. Create a unique candy basket or simply put a reusable bag to good use. Avoiding the plastic jack-o-lantern containers will clear up space in the home, save money and add a dash of originality to your child’s costume.
• Make your own costumes. Put less stress on your wallet by opting for costumes made of reusable or recycled materials. You can find Halloween costume materials from thrift stores or yard sales.
• Walk instead of drive. Rather than drive to other neighborhoods, stay close to home and trick-or-treat in your neighborhood. By walking from house to house you are reducing fuel consumption and air pollution.
• Throw a green Halloween party. Purchase organic pumpkins for carving and apples for bobbing from local organic farms. Once the jack-o-lanterns are carved and the bobbing is complete, use the apples and pumpkins for pies, soups and other tasty dishes.
• Help keep neighborhoods clean while trick-or-treating. Carry an extra bag and pick up litter along the way. Candy wrappers can be a big source of litter on local streets during Halloween.