Super Eco

Photo credit: kevindooley, flickr

The problem with Halloween for families who are trying to live more sustainably, responsibly and lightly on the earth isn't only the candy. We've already talked about ideas for healthy, eco-friendly Halloween treats—but how do you make sure that's what ends up in your child's goody bag? How do you remove the emphasis on "gimme, gimme, gimme"? And how do you handle Halloween for older kids and teens who are still young enough to get excited about trick-or-treating but old enough to get glares from neighbors who'd prefer to reserve goodies for cutie-patootie preschoolers?

Flip tradition on its head with reverse trick-or-treating. The trendsetter is Global Exchange's third annual Fair Trade Cocoa Campaign. Trick-or-treaters go door to door, handing out information about fair trade, certified chocolate—plus (of course) a delectable sample. Signups for this year's campaign are already closed, but you can follow the same ideas on your own.

• Help kids create information cards and samples on anything that matters to you: fair trade chocolate, phthalates in plastics, environmental and health concerns over high fructose corn syrup ... Let them do the research, then design and write the cards.
• Ask local stores to donate samples or coupons for healthy, sustainable treats.
• Shepherd your gang of eco-activists throughout your neighborhood on Halloween, giving out your goodies.
• Surprise trick-or-treaters on the go by posting your handout station at a busy neighborhood corner.
• Keep reverse trick-or-treating at home and give out your packets from your own door. Enlist kids to dress up and help greet trick-or-treaters and distribute goodies.
• Treat kids at the end of the evening with a pizza party and treats all their own (fair trade sweets, an organic T-shirt—anything green and sustainable that mirrors the theme of what they've chosen to give out for the evening).