Green Halloween is volunteer-run, grassroots initiative started by a Seattle-area mom who, back in 2007, approached Whole Foods with an idea to make Halloween a holiday that is better for the environment, but still fun. Whole Foods loved the idea and it got picked up by local and then national press and since then has grown into a nationwide movement. In 2010, Green Halloween became an official program of EcoMom Alliance, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, and global network of green moms.
You can go to the website to get some tips and ideas on how to make this Halloween a green one. Here are a few scrubbed from its Green Halloween website:
It’s really not about the candy. Kids have fun when their parents get involved and have fun themselves. Part of being green is focusing on people instead of things, so try to reduce the amount of ‘things’ you incorporate into your Halloween by increasing the focus on fun. Here are some ideas for making your Green Halloween fun for your kids and for you:
- Make a big deal of your child’s costume – getting dressed, taking pictures, etc.
- Have a neighborhood party and forgo trick-or-treating all together. Ask your child’s school to consider making their Halloween celebration green as well.
- Have a charity-themed party. Instead of giving out prizes for games, allow children to pick from a list of charities and make a donation in their name.
- Have a Halloween gratitude party. Deliver handmade cards to your local farmer and take a tour of his/her field. Arrange before hand for each child to bring a mini pumpkin home.
- Talk to your neighbors about what they will be giving away in advance. One option is to trick-or-treat only at homes where you know Green Halloween items will be passed out.
- Show your Green by displaying your own Green Halloween sign and ask your Green Halloween neighbors to do the same. Turn looking for the signs into a hunt for treasures. The Green Halloween sign on your own door will announce to trick-or-treaters that they’re in for a great surprise!
- Give kids a full, healthy meal before they go out trick-or-treating so they are not hungry.
- Talk to your kids about what is in candy and why it is not healthy. Ask them to come up with creative, kid and Earth-friendly alternatives that your own family can hand out and feel good about.
- When trick-or-treaters come to your door, shout, “Happy Hallo-green!!!
Check out GREEN HALLOWEEN for more tips, ideas, games, printables, costume suggestions and more for kids, parents, teachers, schools and community organization! Good luck!