Go Green This Halloween

There is nothing spookier than overflowing trash cans and landfills full of unnecessary waste. That’s why this Halloween, the City of Stockton encourages you to consider going green with these five tips:

  1. Get Thrifty – Halloween costumes create a lot of waste every year and are often only worn once. Instead of buying a new costume and props, shop around and get creative at thrift stores and online marketplaces like Craigslist or OfferUp.
  2. Creative Decorations – It can seem tempting to buy cheap, single-use decorations every year, but investing in permanent spooktacular decorations will save you time and money in the future. Earth 911 suggests choosing items that are made from sturdy materials like wood or cloth instead of plastic or Styrofoam that are more likely to get damaged in storage. You may even be able to find seasonal decor secondhand on Craigslist or OfferUp. Take items that might be destined for the trash or recycling and use them to make fun props for a haunted house, a front yard cemetery scene or ghosts and scarecrows.
  3. Reduce Food Waste – Hand out candy rather than leaving out a basket or bowl of candy. In addition to making sure trick-or-treaters aren’t left empty-handed, this can combat ambitious trick-or-treaters from grabbing a massive handful of candy that may end up uneaten and thrown away!
  4. Use Reusable Supplies – If you are hosting a Halloween party this year, avoid buying single-use items like cups and plates and opt instead for reusable utensils, cups and plates.
  5. Pumpkin Carving – Painted pumpkins might look great, but they are not compostable once covered in inorganic material like paint, glue, glitter or wrapping. Carved pumpkins, however, can still be composted in your compost bin or backyard and are a timeless spooky option.

However you choose to celebrate this year, please stay safe and have a great time!