How to go Green this Halloween
|
Want to be seen this Halloween? Why not go green! It's true there are a gaggle of great, green getups to choose from -- think Slimer, the Incredible Hulk, or even the Green Giant. But we're talking about topping off your snot-coloured outfit (ew) with another kind of green -- of the eco-friendly variety.
How you ask? It's all about practicing the three Rs (reducing, reusing, recycling) this All Hallows Eve and stocking up on local, organic and fair trade treats. Now is a great time to show others that going green can be a scream, plus October just happens to be Fair Trade Month!
-
Fair trade supports smaller farms, which helps to preserve local biodiversity.
-
A lot of fair trade farmers are organic (and we all know the fewer chemicals out there, the better).
-
Fair trade is sustainable, meaning it lasts and can actually have positive effects. A lot of conventional industries come in, exploit the land and move on to damage other areas.
So, just follow these simple instructions and you'll have everything you need to haunt your hood and scare away waste (and don't forget to share your own Halloween eco-tips on the BOARDS!)
Tip or Treat?
Halloween is really about three things: Your costume, the decorations and most importantly, the loot (aka candy)!!
Costumes
-
Host a costume swap before Halloween with your favourite ghosts and gals
-
Make a costume out of old clothes and stuff from around the house. Hint: attics and basements can be goldmines for ghoulish garments.
-
Visit your local thrift store and find costume ideas galore!
-
Make an enviro-themed costume.
-
What's scarier than a toxic waste dump? Or how about a melting glacier, an oil slick, an evil polluter... the options are endless!
-
You could also pick your favourite species at risk or resurrect an extinct, or endangered animal for the night (and let people know why you chose it!).
-
-
Donate your costume to the local thrift store when you’re done with it (who wants it haunting a landfill when it could be reused!).
Decorations
-
Reuse your spook-tacular decorations from last year.
-
Pick up some frightening decor at your local thrift store.
-
Make like a mad scientist and create your own.
-
Remember, it’s not how many decorations you have, it’s how spine-chilling they are!
Candy
Keep your eyes peeled for local, natural, organic and fair trade candy and chocolate.
Here are a few suggestions for your Halloween grocery list:
-
Yummy Earth Lollipops -
Surf Sweets gummy treats
-
Clif Kid ZBars
-
Candy Tree Toffee
-
College Farm organic suckers
-
Pure Fun Pinwheels
And here’s where to look:
Here’s a list of the stores across Canada.
348 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
Find the store nearest you.
Check the bins for organic candies – most stores have some.
Ditch a plastic trick-or-treat bag this year in favour of something a little more planet-friendly and reusable. Hint: check out the BOARDS for some 