Halloween is just around the corner. It’s time to prepare for the spookiest season of the year. But before you rush to fill your candy bowl, have you ever wondered about the environmental impact of those sugary treats? This article will reveal the answer and suggest delicious yet eco-friendly Halloween treats for a fulfilling festival.
Is Halloween Candy Bad For The Environment?
Yes, Halloween candy can harm the environment. Many popular Halloween candies contain sugar, palm oil, and cocoa, often sourced from tropical regions where deforestation is a significant problem.
The conversion of forests into farmland is often through “slashing and burning.” It not only contributes to deforestation but also releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, worsening climate change.
For example, Brazil is a major sugar producer, and in 2019, restrictions on growing sugar in the Amazon were lifted. Palm oil, another common ingredient, is from the Amazon, Malaysia, and Indonesia, frequently on cleared forestland. Cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire has also led to the loss of significant forested areas.
Besides, most of the candy given out or consumed during Halloween is wrapped in plastic, which ends up in landfills or oceans, where it might take hundreds of years to decay. Also, plastic leads to greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and wildlife endangerment.
So, while Halloween candy may be a tasty treat, it’s essential to be aware of its environmental impact and consider more eco-friendly candy options.
5 Tasty Eco-Friendly Halloween Treats
If you want to celebrate your Halloween party more sustainably, choose eco-friendly Halloween candy instead.
Eco-friendly treats are made with organic ingredients and packaged in compostable or recyclable materials. These treats are not only better for the environment but also for your health and taste buds.
Here are some eco-friendly trick or treats that you should try this Halloween:
Endangered Species Chocolate
Endangered Species chocolate bars are many people’s favorite who love something sweet yet eco-friendly. These chocolates are made using cocoa grown sustainably and traded ethically. Further, they don’t have any genetically modified ingredients. What’s even better is that part of the money they make goes to help protect wildlife!
For children, the company offers Endangered Species Chocolate Bites. They’re mini chocolate squares and are individually wrapped. These traits make Endangered Species chocolate bars perfect for sharing with friends.
Unreal Candy
What Halloween candy is not in plastic? The answer is appetizing candies from Unreal Snacks.
The idea behind Unreal Snacks came up during Halloween when two brothers wondered why candy had to be so unhealthy. Now, it’s become one of the best eco-friendly treats for Halloween!
If you ever want to share candy but also want something with less sugar than the usual candy bars, Unreal Snacks is the way to go. These candies are not only delicious but also vegan and gluten-free.
The brand uses certified Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade, and sustainable ingredients. Even more impressive is that Unreal Snacks doesn’t use sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners, so some of their bars have as little as 3 grams of sugar in each piece.
Get your favorite plastic-free Halloween candy now on their website. Remember to use these Unreal Snacks coupons and enjoy countless discounts on tasty Halloween treats!
Alter Eco Truffles
Alter Eco, a Certified B Corp, offers tasty truffles known for their sustainability. These are yummy chocolate truffles made with organic and fair-trade ingredients, such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, and cane sugar.
They have different flavors, including sea salt, mint crème, salted caramel, and black truffle. What sets this treat apart is that they are gluten-, soy- and palm oil-free. Also, they come in compostable packaging and hold several crucial sustainable certifications, including fair trade and non-GMO.
While the price is slightly higher than other chocolates, Alter Eco is still a good choice regarding eco-friendly Halloween candy.
Glee Gum
The next treat we want to introduce is Glee Gum. This natural chewing gum is made with chicle, a tree sap reaped sustainably from the rainforest.
Unlike most chewing gums that contain synthetic rubber, plasticizers, and artificial sweeteners, Glee Gum is biodegradable, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. It also comes in various flavors, such as peppermint, bubblegum, lemon-lime, and cinnamon.
Last but not least, Glee Gum uses eco-friendly candy packaging, which is recyclable cardboard boxes printed with vegetable-based inks. Thus, you can use these treats as an eco-friendly Halloween decor.
So, why wait? It’s time to shop and enjoy a guilt-free celebration with these fantastic eco-friendly candy options!
YumEarth Gummy Bears
If you prefer to offer fruity snacks instead of candy, consider YumEarth Gummy Bears an excellent choice. Unlike traditional gummy bears that use high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, and flavors, these packs are individually wrapped and made with natural fruit and vegetable juices for coloring and flavoring.
Moreover, YumEarth gummy bears are suitable for various dietary needs as they are vegan, gluten-free, and crafted from non-GMO and USDA organic ingredients. These are also safe for all kids, as they do not have common food allergens.
More Tips for Eco-Friendly Halloween Treats
Besides wearing sustainable costumes and choosing eco-friendly treats for Halloween, there are other tips to make your Halloween more green and sustainable:
- Make fruit more enticing: Fruit is a healthy and natural treat that both kids and adults enjoy. Consider making fruit more enticing by cutting it into fun shapes, dipping it in chocolate or yogurt, or decorating it with nuts or seeds. Also, use fruit peels or cores to make compost or vinegar.
- Use candy alternatives: Candy is not the only option for Halloween treats. You can also give out or enjoy other candy alternatives, such as temporary tattoos, pencils, erasers, bookmarks, or toys. Another option is making your own treats, like popcorn balls, granola bars, or cookies.
- Turn wrappers into eco-bricks: If you end up with candy wrappers that are not biodegradable or recyclable, turn them into eco-bricks. Ecobricks are plastic bottles stuffed with non-recyclable plastic waste. You can use them to build furniture, walls, or structures.
In conclusion, Halloween is a time to celebrate and have fun, but it also is a time to be mindful of the environment. By choosing eco-friendly Halloween treats, you can reduce your environmental impact and enjoy some delicious and healthy treats simultaneously.
So, this Halloween season, consider making a positive impact on the planet while enjoying the festivities. Your choices matter, and they can make a world of difference.
