Have a Green Halloween!

As Halloween approaches, here are several ideas for trick-or-treaters and treat-givers to add more green to the orange and black holiday.

• When planning a Halloween monster bash, use reusable utensils, plates, napkins and tablecloths instead of disposable ones.
• When you are shopping for Halloween goodies, buy candy that uses the least amount of packaging. Kids may clamor for chocolate and candy corn, but after Halloween's over, wrappers may be as common as tummy aches.
• Look for the recycled content in items you buy and carry reusable bags to put your groceries in," Krupp said.
• Walk or ride a bike for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating. If you have to drive, carpool to help reduce traffic and air pollution.
• Try to re-use Halloween decorations in the same way that Christmas ornaments are used from year-to-year, instead of throwing them away each November first.

Most of all, use this holiday to think about your everyday habits and actions to reduce waste 365 days a year. The scariest aspect of Halloween may not be the ghosts in the attic, but the waste on the floor. Individual actions can make a huge difference for our future.

Information from Environmental Defense Fund 10-21-08