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Make it a green Halloween this year
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According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down from $66.54 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion. That’s a lot of candy, decorations and costumes!
“The economy has caught up to Halloween this year,” said Tracy Mullin, President and CEO, National Retail Federation. “Since retailers know that Americans will be looking to celebrate on a budget, there’s no doubt we will see creative costume and decorating ideas in every price point imaginable.”
Fewer people plan to celebrate Halloween this year and those who are celebrating will participate in fewer activities. According to the survey, one-third (33.4%) will dress in costume, compared to 35.3 percent last year. The number of people carving a pumpkin will also drop (42.4% compared to 44.6% last year). Additionally, fewer people will throw or attend a party (30.2% vs. 31.1% in 2008), visit a haunted house (17.0% vs. 18.1% in 2008) and hand out candy (71.2% vs. 73.7% last year). Even with the advent of life-sized yard decorations, which have become immensely popular in recent years, fewer people plan to decorate their home or yard (47.3% vs. 50.3%).
A growing trend is not only cutting back expenses in this down economy, but also towards things such as healthier options for kids, using reusable goods, buying local and minimizing waste.
Here are a few tips and ideas to put a little green in your Halloween, courtesy of City of Auburn Solid Waste:
Trick or Treating can be green - Kids and parents can walk through the neighborhood instead of driving your car. Encourage trick-or-treaters to use reusable bags or buckets instead of plastic disposable bags. Use rechargeable batteries for flashlights. Every kid loves candy. Conscientious consumers can find an increasing variety of eco-friendly candy, from organic chocolate to organic lollipops online and from local organic groceries and health food stores. Organic candies can satisfy a sweet tooth without compromising health, and they are produced using methods that don’t damage the environment. Non-candy options such as bubbles, stickers, pencils or other items can be great alternatives.
Decorations can be reusable or compostable - Natural items like pumpkins, gourds and corn husks are inexpensive and can be festive. Plus, they can be placed with your green compost cart for recycling after the holiday. Reusable decorations can be used from year to year to save money and reduce waste.
Costumes don’t need to be costly - A number of items can be made simply from items around the house. Creative and one-of-a-kind costumes are available from thrift stores and yard sales at bargain prices, and kids can create their costumes without ruining their own clothing. Parents can reuse and recycle their own old clothes by tailoring them into costumes for their kids.
Party fare - Serve seasonal and local foods. Fall is also a great time of year to visit local farms and pumpkin patches. For parties, try compostable napkins, cups, plates and service ware made from corn, sugarcane and other materials – they work great and can be recycled along with food in your green curbside compost cart. Better still, use reusable items and avoid the waste altogether.
Eat Local information
Recycle Pumpkins. It’s Easy to Do - When making Jack-o-lanterns put the seeds and pulp in a compost bin or pile. After Halloween is over, the shell can be tossed in the bin, too. Composting pumpkins and other food, whether in the home compost pile or the yard & food waste collection cart, produces some of nature’s best mulch, which can be used instead of biodegradable organic matter. Roasted pumpkin seeds are also tasty, and the meat of the pumpkin can make a delicious pie or tasty muffins.
For more information on recycling, contact the City of Auburn Waste Management and Recycling division at 253-931-3047.
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