Use a reusable bag for Halloween treats
Why This is Green
Plastic pumpkins or Halloween-themed bags might be fun for collecting candy—just the flourish needed to round out a costume—but reusable bags are far eco-friendlier.
According to the Worldwatch Institute, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags a year—an unfathomable number. Polyethylene is produced largely from natural gas. Technically plastic bags are reusable and recyclable, but only a small percentage of them are recycled—Environment California estimates five percent,
while the EPA says its closer to twelve percent.
Either way, a plastic bag in a landfill takes about 1,000 years to break down, according to multiple sources—not worth it for a trick or a treat. And a study by the Ocean Conservancy found plastic bags made up about nine percent of the debris along various U.S. coasts. There isn’t much research on what happens to plastic pumpkins but suffice it to say they’re neither easily reused or recycled.
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How To
Avoid the concerns with either by using a reusable tote, or reusing a plastic bag you already have. Canvas versions are best for heavy hauls of treats. Bags made from recycled bottles stand up to most loads.
While there are tons of cute reusable bags on the market, it’s best to use one you already own than to buy a new one just for Halloween. Any bag takes energy and resources to make.
Recommended Products
- FEED Trick-or-Treat Bag
- Envirosax Sesame Street Shopper Set
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