The City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department (ESD) encourages residents to consider some of these useful and beneficial hints to have an enjoyable and GREEN Halloween. ESD reminds everyone to continue using these seasonal suggestions as part of their daily commitment to help in preserving the environment.
GREEN HALLOWEEN TIPS:
TIP #1 - Have children collect Halloween candy in reusable bags or containers they can keep and use afterwards. According to the EPA, over 380 million plastic bags and more than 10 million paper bags are used each year in the U.S. alone. Reusable bags are more durable than plastic and paper bags, which can tear and spill treats.
TIP #2 - Make your own Halloween costumes instead of buying one you will discard after the first use. By going to thrift stores or yard sales and using some creativity, you and your child can spend quality time together and design something with your own personal touch. Also, avoid non-recyclable materials such as polyvinyl chloride, which can emit dangerous toxins as well.
TIP #3 - Give trick-or-treaters EEK-O-Friendly goodies. Think not only healthy, but consider candy or treats with little or no packaging that can be recycled. The treats can be small boxes of crayons, colored pencils, Halloween-shaped erasers or other inexpensive items you can find at your nearest dollar store. Also, by purchasing Fair-Trade and Organic food products, you are supporting the environment as well as promoting healthy eating habits for children.
TIP #4 - Instead of driving around town to other neighborhoods, stay close to home for trick-or-treating. Walking is great exercise and reduces fuel consumption and air pollution. If you must drive, consider carpooling with other families.
TIP #5 - If you are throwing a Halloween party, use dishes, utensils and tablecloths that can be washed and reused instead of thrown away. Also use recycled and recyclable materials to make decorations or use household items -- like white sheets to make ghosts -- that can be returned to normal use after the party.
TIP #6 - Put your old jack-o-lanterns and pumpkins in your compost bin. If you don't already compost, this is a good time to start. With falling leaves and other food waste, you can create good soil for your garden to grow more pumpkins for next year. For information on composting, visit: www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/composting.shtml.
TIP #7 - Reuse Halloween decorations each year. Properly store your decorations so they can be used next year, just like you would your Christmas, Hanukkah, or Thanksgiving decorations.
TIP #8 - Properly dispose of candy wrappers. Make sure children throw away wrappers when they get home, or throw them in trash cans along their trick-or-treating route. Take an extra, reusable bag to pick up litter along the way.
TIP #9 - Remember to conserve energy by turning off any electrical decorations when you go to bed. This will not only save on your electric bill, but you can prevent possible fire hazards.
RECYCLING INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE
