We are part of The Trust Project.
If you haven’t already stocked up on Halloween treats, consider going eco-friendly this year.
Here are 11 ideas to get you started.
EDIBLE
Boxed, foil-, paper- wrapping
Milk Duds, Nerds, Dots and Junior Mints come in small recyclable boxes, and paper-covered Pixy Stix are more eco-friendly than single-use plastic treats.
Hershey’s Kisses, Dove chocolates and Rolos are among low-waste, foil-wrapped candies, and the wrapping is recyclable , according to “101 Ways to Go Zero Waste” author Kathryn Kellogg.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fruit
Individual Cuties are easy peasy, healthy options with an even easier compostable “wrapper.”
And, if you want to be on theme, add a bowl labeled “poisoned apples,” and fill it with your fave in-season variety.
Bevs
Getting a full-size can of pop on Halloween is a win-win for trick-or-treaters and the planet — (especially, if you avoid cans with plastic grips on top). Today, there’s also a large selection of mini canned beverages.
Mix it up with caffeinated and caffeine-free options — Pepsi, Diet Coke, Orange Crush, ginger ale, lemonade. You can’t go wrong.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hot apple cider
If you go this route, opt for cups that are compostable or made from recycled materials.
Better to skip if you’ve got to do plastic or foam cups.
Bulk-fed candy bags
This option best suits family and friends, and would do well for a Halloween party.
Consider filling small paper bags with your choice of bulk jelly beans, chocolate-covered peanuts, banana chips and dehydrated pineapple slices, and you can find it all at grocery stores and Whole Foods Co-op.
Optional: Decorate your candy bags with your fave Halloween imagery.
INEDIBLE
Tiny coloring books or single coloring pages
ADVERTISEMENT
Halloween-themed or not, passing out a couple of pages or a miniature coloring book sparks some much-needed creativity in kiddos of all ages. Going small may make it easier on your wallet, and hey, maybe you’ll see some fridge art out of it.
Miniature notepads
Same here, these never go out of style, and you can encourage your trick-or-treater to write a poem or a story, or sketch a picture — a treat for everyone.
No. 2 pencils + erasers
Halloween-themed or plain, BE. THAT. HOUSE.
$
For a truly low-waste option, hit up your coin jar. Just remind kiddos they’re not edible.
Miniature wooden shapes
Kiddos can paint these later, and they’ll last longer than chocolate.
Bamboo straws
This reusable and biodegradable option may be a hard sell for the kiddos, but mentioning they’re great for milk shakes, smoothies and everything else might help.
