Halloween is here, and right now is the perfect time to make Earth Day every day — even on the holidays. Take steps to make Halloween sustainable, through clothing, food and drink choices. The Earth will thank you.

While many might have their costumes already planned out, there’s no need to go out and buy a costume if you don’t already have one. The best ideas can be taken from your own clothes, or even your best friend’s closet (with permission, of course).

As clothes go in and out of style, your closet could be filled with hidden treasures. Flare jeans and a peasant blouse make a simple hippie costume, while neon colors and teased hair can make a simple ’80s partier.

If your closet doesn’t give you any ideas, hold a clothing swap with friends. Still don’t have what you want? Try second-hand stores, especially the Salvation Army. One is conveniently located on Erie Boulevard. By buying gently used or borrowed clothes, not only will you save money, but also make sustainable sources.

Many clothes, including costumes, are made with unnatural materials, toxic chemicals and pesticides in the fabric and garment production processes. On top of this, clothes are often produced in far-away places like Bangladesh and Mexico. When clothes are transported to the store, trucks, ships and planes burn fossil fuels, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

By choosing to reuse or buy used clothing, you can stop supporting various types of pollution while saving money in your piggy bank. Though clothes aren’t the only way you can choose to be sustainable this Halloween — think about your food and drinks.

Halloween is a time for treats, and the more sustainable option is making your own treats. There are tons of great recipes for cookies, candies and cupcakes to make Halloween sweeter, so why waste your money on candy that is highly processed and comes from inorganic farming methods? This candy is also transported in the same manner as clothes — from distant places with lots of fossil fuels.

When carving those pumpkins, make use of the guts and seeds. Bake the seeds with salt and seasonings; they make a perfect, quick snack. If you’re carving pie pumpkins and you have an oven, try making a pumpkin pie or two. If you’re using different types of pumpkins, compost the guts, taking the food out of the waste stream.

With all this good food, many will be quenching their thirst with beverages. If they’re of the alcoholic variety, drink responsibly, but first buy responsibly. There are breweries and wineries in our area that have critically acclaimed beers and wines. Buy wine made in the Finger Lakes, or beer from the Syracuse area. Some brands even have fall and Halloween flavors.

There are plenty of ways that anyone can have a more sustainable holiday. Think outside the box with simple ways — the effort will make your holiday more special and really get you into the season. Try first with costumes, foods and drinks for a sustainable Halloween.

Meg Callaghan is a junior environmental studies major and writing minor at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at mlcallag@syr.edu.

Published on October 31, 2012 at 2:59 am