What You Can Do wants you to have a Happy Halloween!

October is coming to an end and that means Halloween is fast approaching. 

We love Halloween here at What You Can Do, and all the fun and candy that comes with it. Here are some simple tips to help keep your Halloween eco-friendly, safe and inclusive for all:

1.  Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project: What kid doesn’t love dressing up and going around their neighborhood asking for delicious candy? Unfortunately though, some children have severe allergies to common ingredients found in most candies. This holiday consider also participating in the Teal Pumpkin Program. You can let families who come to your neighborhood know that you also have non-allergy items for kids who trick or treat at your house. Just paint one of your regular pumpkins teal to let everyone know. You can pass out items such as stickers, erasers, pencils etc. etc. in addition to the normal candy. This helps include everyone in the fun Halloween festivities.  You can also learn more about the teal pumpkin program here:  https://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project#.WBEtRTt7yhM

2.  Conscious buying:  Try not to buy fake items when you can buy those same items in an easily disposable form.  For example, avoid buying plastic pumpkins that would just go in the trash when you are finished with them. Instead purchase real pumpkins from a pumpkin patch or local grocery store. Real pumpkins can be put in the compost once you are finished with them or cut up and turned into pumpkin pies or soup.  Keeping as much plastic out of our landfills as possible is a great way to be green this Halloween. You can also decorate with old corn husks, dead branches and or leaves this Halloween instead of purchasing new. Also don't forget to roast your pumpkin seeds from your jack-o-lanterns

Check out our original What You Can Do video here which gives you ideas for keeping fall decorations green:  What You Can Do: Fall Decorations

3.  Make your own costume:  Instead of going out and buying a whole new costume every year that you might never wear again, consider making your costume from found items in your home or from your local thrift store. You can also ask to borrow costumes from family and friends. Or consider reusing or repurposing your old costumes this year and save yourself from having to buy something completely new. These ideas can help you save time, money and resources.   

4.  Stay Safe:  Make sure that you and your family stay safe this Halloween by always having a flashlight or other type of light with you when walking the streets at night. When in costume, it can be hard for drivers to identify pedestrians walking around the neighborhood. Stay out of danger by letting cars know where you are with flashing bike lights, reusable flashlights and or reflective gear you can wear. Nothing says Happy Halloween like staying safe.

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!