Be Green this Halloween
Photo by: http://notjustcute.com/2009/10/30/pumpkin-drum/pile-of-pumpkins-seppics/
I love Halloween and everyone who knows me looks forward to my costumes. I usually make my own costumes with whatever I have laying around the house combined with thrift store finds. Some items are inevitable to purchase from a Halloween store, but what are some ways you can be green on Halloween? The first thing would be to host a costume swap. Rather than letting costumes sit in storage year after year, why not give it a second chance? Will you really wear it again? If the answer is no, then swapping is a great way to be green.
Skip the plastic treat bags by using pillow cases and reusable shopping totes instead. Decorate the pillow cases or tote bags with simple, fun, Halloween themes. This can be a fun activity for your family.
Use natural decorations such as pumpkins, corn stalks, and real leaves. This will add a lot of character and look much better than fake plastic decorations. You can also make your own decorations to add a personal touch.
Avoid plastic wrapped candy. Boxed candy is a better alternative. If you can splurge a little more, organic candy is the way to go. It may be more expensive, but just give out a couple pieces rather than handfuls of cheap candy.
Be creative and Green this Halloween!
This Sat. is the final Silver Lake Art Craft & Vintage Market of 2011
This Saturday is the final Silver Lake Art Craft & Vintage Market of 2011 at the Micheltorena St. Elementary School.
“Get into the buy local holiday spirit as more than 40 DIY crafters, vintage clothes vendors, artists, food trucks and more gather for 2011′s final Silver Lake Art Craft & Vintage market 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. At the Micheltorena St. Elementary School. Proceeds from each market benefit the LAUSD school. The indie flea market (held the second Saturday of the month) is one of many alternate ways to shop and go beyond the mall this weekend on the Eastside. Tasty bites supplied by local food trucks. Volunteers are welcome at the Micheltorena St. School garden on Saturday as well.”
What to do with old underwear?
The majority of people just toss their old skivvies in the trash and don’t think much of it. No one wants someone else wearing their underwear! What are the alternatives?
You could use your undies as old cleaning rags for filthy messes instead of paper towels. If in good condition, charity shops will accept old underwear so, don’t be embarrassed. They will donate them to get distributed to Third World Countries. There are people in Third World Countries who can’t afford underwear and are uneducated about hygiene. They have more risks of illness and disease from not wearing underwear.
There is also a programmed called Project Underwear. They collect new and gently used underwear and distribute them to poor children in Third World Countries.
If they are natural fibers like 100% cotton, then you could cut off the elastic and put it in your “browns” compost bin.
So, next time you have a pile of old underwear, please consider using some for rags, donating, composting, or be creative in reusing. Whatever you do, please keep them out of landfills.
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All Thrifty States
Have you ever bought anything that you regretted afterwards? The item just collects dust until you finally decide to get rid of it? Or your clothes are outdated and you need to make room for new clothes? After a while, you finally decide to donate it to a thrift store and hope that your junk becomes someone else’s treasure. Well, you aren’t alone.
“All Thrifty States: Documenting What Americans Throw Out” is a visual documentation of photographs and video. This project aims to visit thrift stores in all 50 states, documenting the scenes and objects found along the way. The mission will be to explore the experience through two lenses– socially and photographically.
I’ve been following Jenna Isaacson Pfueller for a few months and I even donated to help kickstart her journey to explored All Thrifty States. If you’d like to see what America throws out then, please follow the blog:
http://www.allthriftystates.com/
Choose to shop second-hand
One of the best ways to be green is to use second-hand goods. There are ways of exchanging goods with others, such as, having a clothing swap or exchanging items online. Save money by shopping at flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, or classified listings. Vintage and antique items are unique and they don’t make things the way they used to. Please considering buying second hand, next time you are looking for furniture, clothing, books, or just about anything. By reusing goods, you are helping the planet by reducing the need for producing new products.
