Halloween is coming soon! This is a tough holiday for individuals with food allergies and sensitivities. It can also be tricky for Zero Wasters with all the food wrappers!
Thankfully the Teal Pumpkin Project launched last year and is gaining popularity- This project was created by a mom who has a child with food allergies. The premise is simple- you paint a pumpkin teal and put it in front of your house. If you have a non-food or allergy-free goody, children know they can come trick-or-treat with you! Most homes have a food and non-food option such as a small toy, pencil, or book. You can preplan your route with the map on their website. Last year we found 5 teal pumpkins and my son was thrilled!!
This is also a great way for those of us who want to give out something less wasteful and healthier than candy. A great idea would be to go to your local thrift store and purchase books for a dime or check out the small bulk toys at the toy store and purchase something without any packaging! I’ve also seen people give out chapsticks, bookmarks, crayons, and stickers.
What will you give out this year? What other Zero Waste/ allergy free ideas do you have?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and 4 year old son. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, studying about essential oils, natural remedies and herbs, as well as upcycling/ DIY projects. Olivia’s family made the move last year towards becoming a Zero Waste household. They have gotten down to one bathroom sized trashcan a month of garbage but hope to be totally Zero Waste by the end of 2015.
Like this? Check out the rest of our Waste Less and Be Green in 2015 series for more tips!
I don’t think that the kids will ring at our door (here in Germany Trick or Treat is not common yet), if they come I will give them raisins. I am already using menstrual cups. Now I am thinking about buying some reusable/washable toilet sheets (not for number 2 but for all the numbers 1s).
great to share different kind of ideas of reducing waste!!!
halloween is not that much of a deal in the country i am from. but soon it is the time of christmas. and i will try to make as many presents myself. or to give “quality time” to friends and family. <3
both are good ways to reduce packaging 🙂
i am very happy with the mooncup. for years. besides promoting the mooncup i have also found an NGO in Nepal who sews cotton-pads. an excellent alternative for women who use pads!
cheers, marion
I won’t be giving out anything because I live on a very rural dirt road in the middle of no where so I don’t get any trick or treaters. some zero waste / allergy free ideas are fruit, bake some gluten free cookies, bake a few different kinds of breads (banana, applesauce, and zucchini breads are just a few ideas), give pencils or $1 or $2 gift certificates to Wendys or some other place
this year we will be using all reusable items home baby and womens cloth and we will be gardening lots of vegetables to give away and trade for other fruits and vegetables
Crayons, bracelets, mardi gras necklaces, bubbles or play dough are my go-to, allergy-friendly treats.
I have not done a costume swap party…it sounds interesting though
What a great idea! I’m going to try to remember this for next year and see if the neighborhood moms will participate in one!
we use them (leaves) to cover our garden in the winter and put some into our compost pile