Arcata Offers Some Zero Waste Tips for Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

Halloween is Thursday, October 31 and Día de los Muertos begins on Thursday, October 31 and ends on Saturday, November 2. Those who choose to celebrate these holidays are already busy preparing for parties, trick-or-treating and for remembering loved ones who have passed.

Spooky costumes on Halloween may be scary to some, but the waste generated from both Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations can be really terrifying for the environment. Have no fear, the Environmental Services Department has collected some of the best tricks for going zero waste this holiday season.

 Decorate for the season using compostable materials. Skip the plastic! Decorate your home with real pumpkins, gourds and autumn leaves. Carve pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns to celebrate Halloween, you can even roast and eat the pumpkin seeds! After the season is over, compost your décor.

 Create green offrenda to celebrate loved ones. When preparing a traditional offrenda to remember departed loved ones for Día de los Muertos, use real marigolds which will be easy to compost with food from the altar after the holiday. Decorate your altar with picture frames you already have in your home, and use recyclable papel picado and reusable ceramic sugar skulls.

 Host a green gathering. Hosting a party? Skip the disposable plates and utensils. Use your own cups and plates, or borrow some if you need to! Use real utensils or just serve finger foods, and let your guests know where the recycling and compost bins are located. If you must buy disposables, please make sure they are compostable.

 Choose a zero waste Halloween costume. Make your Halloween costume using natural or vintage fabrics, or repurpose clothing and items you already own. Check out local thrift or vintage stores to find the perfect Halloween look. After the holiday, donate your old costumes to a local thrift store or school.

 Rethink the plastic treat bucket. Use a reusable cloth bag, basket or pillowcase for trick-or-treating on Halloween. If you already have the plastic treat bucket, be sure to save it for years to come.

 Avoid candy wrapper waste. Planning to hand out treats on Halloween? Buy candy packaged in recyclable materials like cardboard boxes or foil instead of plastic. Buy candy in bulk and package it in small recyclable paper bags or reusable cloth bags. Hand out soda or sparkling water treats in recyclable aluminum cans. Skip the sweets altogether and hand out coins, wooden pencils and erasers.

 Keep your face paint pure. Did you know that heavy metals can be found in the majority of most face paints? When dressing up for Halloween or painting your face like La Calavera Catrina to celebrate Día de los Muertos, use paints or makeup made with natural ingredients. You can also make your own by finding DIY face paint recipes online.

For more helpful zero waste tips, visit cityofarcata.org or call the Environmental Services Department at 707-822-8184.