With a little planning, families can celebrate Halloween on a budget and have an Earth-friendly holiday at the same time, says UT Dallas Sustainability Manager Thea Junt.
She offers parents the following tips to take the ecological and economic fright out of October 31st:
- Stay local. Walk with your kids in your own neighborhood. It saves on gas and reduces emissions, gets your family a little evening exercise and lets you mingle with your neighbors. Make trick-or-treating about your community, not about the candy.
- Get creative with your family’s clothes to make new costumes. Scope out thrift stores early – the best costume-making clothes go quickly. Scarves and bangles can make any kid a gypsy, while a blue shirt with a “32” easily becomes Texas Rangers outfielder’s uniform.
- Beware of Fright Night chemicals. Many of the new costumes and accessories are made with plastics and PVC, few of which are recyclable. Many of the heavy makeup products are made with lead. Reduce your risks by using everyday make-up to be your most ghoulish and avoid questionable seasonal substitutes.
Finally, Junt says there are cheap and eco-friendly ways to host a Halloween bash. Serve homemade or bulk-purchased goodies, use real dishes instead of paper or plastic goods, and encourage guests to use your recycling bin when they can.