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Celebrate an eco-friendly Halloween

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Candy, costumes and treats may add up to fun on Halloween, but such staples also contribute to an abundance of waste come the end of October. For those who embrace eco-friendly lifestyles, the thought of disposable or single-use Halloween paraphernalia can be even scarier than the costumed creatures going door-to-door.
 
Those with eco-conscious ideals need not compromise Halloween fun in the name of protecting the planet. They need only make some easy adaptations to some of their favorite Halloween traditions.
 
Décor
 
Skip the poorly made disposable or plastic decorations and opt for all-natural materials instead. Farmer's markets and harvest stands are great places to pick up hay bales, corn bunches, gourds, cornstalks, and, of course, pumpkins. Make your own scarecrows out of tattered clothes that may otherwise end up in the trash. Repurpose cotton or linen sheets into spooky ghosts to hang from cords on tree branches.
 
If you must purchase decorations, make sure they are durable so they can be used year after year. Make your own ceramic jack-o-lanterns to provide a spooktacular centerpiece this Halloween.
 
Tricks and treats
 
Scour grocery stores for organic or environmentally friendly candies and other treats to give to trick-or-treaters. Many companies make healthy and eco-friendly versions of popular snacks. Buy items in bulk, which cuts down on the amount of packaging. Some healthy alternatives to traditional candies are free of chemical colors and flavors, making them even more inviting.
 
Think about handing out natural treats as well. Seed packets or flower bulbs are easy to distribute and will produce a bounty of new life in the spring.
 
Costumes
 
Renting or borrowing a costume is more eco-friendly than purchasing new items each year. Friends or family members may have Halloween costumes filling their storage trunks, so why not make use of such resources?
 
Some costumes can be created simply from old clothing. Recreate the 1970s with old bellbottoms and polyester shirts. A traveling hobo needs only a bandana tote and some pants with patchwork. More elaborate costumes can be made with recycled objects found in closets or around the house.
 
Avoid poorly made costumes that show up in abundance this time of year. Such costumes often are imported (meaning lengthy shipping and distribution times), and many are made from materials that are not very eco-friendly.
 
Halloween pot luck
 
Host a Halloween party and ask guests to contribute what they can. Someone can bring reusable dishes and cups, while another may have spooky decorations. The more people who donate to the cause, the fewer new items you need to purchase and dispose of afterward.
 
Set out recycling bins and trash receptacles so guests will dispose of their items responsibly.
 
Recycle afterwards
 
In addition to donating costumes and putting cans and plastic out for recycling collection, turn natural Halloween décor into compost come November 1. Gourds, pumpkin seeds and corn stalks can be added to compost piles to create fertilizer.