● Tips for a Frankenstein Green Halloween

Cecilia Palacio Gutiérrez Assistant English Editor

This is Halloween, this is Halloween. Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The spooky season always brings its share of dopamine and traditions; I know I’ve enjoyed all-night movie marathons and endless candy on multiple occasions! However, as with all holidays in our capitalistic society, it is far too easy to fall into a pattern of consumerism and wastefulness. Buying costumes, decorations and individually-packaged candies or snacks all add to our carbon footprints. Not to mention the energy used to power yard decorations all night or produce everything from wigs to face paint. In 2017, the Hubbub Foundation found that about seven million costumes are thrown away each year. To put it into perspective, that is about 2.079 million kg of plastic (https://www.fairylandtrust. org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Halloween-Plastics-Clothing-and-Costumes-Report-2019.pdf). We all know how harmful plastic is to the environment, so clearly, we need to consciously transition to a green version of Halloween. Here are some ideas to try out this October 31st:

1. Head to Bulk Barn One of the major issues behind Halloween is the individual wrapping of candy. Of course, it is extremely convenient to head to Costco and buy a giant box of candy ready for trick-or-treaters. However, if you’re buying candy for yourself and your friends, consider skipping the packaging altogether. We all know we’ll be eating more than one chocolate bar regardless! Bulk Barn has a bring-your-own-container option, so go ahead and gather the party bowls. Additionally, students and seniors save 15% off their purchase every Wednesday, so plan accordingly! If you do have trick-or-treaters coming to your doorstep, you can always find compostable bags to individually portion out your candy. Just make sure to be clear about any allergens. It may sound like a hassle to portion out a bunch of candy, but you can make easy work out of it by inviting friends or family over, and watching a movie while you go an extra mile for the planet.

2. Swap costumes Halloween is the epitome of fast fashion. Many people will buy a whole outfit for one party, then avoid using the items again because they are simply not meant to be versatile or durable. As mentioned above, the plastic used in Halloween costumes is a major concern for environmentalists. This year, take a slow fashion approach by swapping Halloween costumes with friends and shopping each other’s closets. It’s a greener and more wallet-friendly way to get dressed up. If that fails, then try thrifting some pieces to complete your costume. Reusing and repurposing will always have lower environmental impacts than buying things new.

3. DIY Related to point two, many people use Halloween as an opportunity to DIY. Whether it is something small like hemming some pants to the right length, or something larger like constructing your own Wall-E head, Halloween can also be a creative outlet. For example, it can be the perfect opportunity to start learning a new skill, like sewing! If you go this route, look for materials that are PVC-free, purchase cosmetics that are non-toxic (for your skin and for the environment!), and see if you can reclaim any fabric.

4. Pumpkins are food! Don’t worry, you still get to carve your best pumpkin this year if you want to, but make sure to keep the seeds and flesh to roast, cook and bake! You can separate the seeds and the strings to roast and make a stock, respectively, and cut up your jacko-lantern to feed any deer or squirrels in your area. That being said, if you’re in the city, you may want to simply compost your carved pumpkin to avoid attracting any raccoons, as cute as they may be. If you opted for leaving your pumpkin whole, then go ahead and bake some pumpkin spice muffins or bread to enjoy the season!

There are a million and one ways we can all reduce the waste generated during Halloween, so that we can continue to do the Monster Mash in the coming decades. Let’s not let environmental waste be the spookiest part of October!