“Green” your Halloween with some help from the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (Authority)! More waste tends to be produced around popular holidays like Halloween, including things like costumes, decorations and candy wrappers. Stick to these waste reduction tips to have a happy, green, Halloween!
Costumes
Costume trends change every year leading to many costumes only being worn once or twice before they are thrown away, taking up valuable space in the Authority’s Regional Landfill. Instead of buying a brand-new costume every year, try adding pieces to your costume wardrobe that can be used over and over again or check out a local thrift store to see if they have any costumes. Invite some friends over to swap or DIY costumes to get into the Halloween spirit! Old costumes can be repurposed or donated. There are many options to explore before placing them in the garbage!
Don’t forget about the Authority’s 6th Annual Green Halloween Costume Contest! K-12 students in Oneida and Herkimer Counties can send the Authority pictures of their DIY costumes for the chance to win and Amazon gift card or an Authority swag bag! Photos that are emailed to Authority Recycling Coordinator Eileen Brinck at eileenb@ohswa.org or are sent to the Authority’s social media by Friday, November 1st will be considered. Winners will be notified and be announced on the Authority’s social media on Wednesday, November 6th.
Decorations
Like costume trends, Halloween decoration trends can also change from year to year. Choose to decorate with items that can be used from year to year or with items that can be changed for each holiday. Also consider DIYing decorations with things you already have or decorating with things like pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks, which can be composted after you are done enjoying them! Check your recycling bin for some inspiration too. Glass bottles can be made into lanterns, milk jugs can be made into skeletons and cardboard boxes can be made into tombstones.
Candy
Candy wrappers are not accepted for recycling. This is because candy wrappers are too small to be sorted properly at the recycling center and they often have different layers of material that cannot be separated. Although candy wrappers are small, they contribute to a large amount of plastic that ends up at the landfill, especially when you think of how many pieces of candy are being eaten this time of year. Be sure to use a reusable candy bag or bucket to collect all your treats!
Reusing items to get in the Halloween spirit is the best way to ensure that you are not generating additional Halloween waste. While doing so, you are helping to conserve resources and save space in the Regional Landfill and are also practicing good habits that can be used during the rest of the holiday season! For more information on how to “green” your Halloween, please visit www.ohswa.org or contact the Authority at 315-722-1224 or ohswa@ohswa.org.