Green Living by Janet Marchant: Bride of Greening Your Halloween

Last week, I gave my readers some tips on recycling Halloween costumes, and you'll be glad to know that I have even more fresh-out-of-the-box ideas for you today!

Did you know that some Halloween costume companies are starting to use recycled materials in parts of their production process? It's true! You can now buy costumes that used to be cardboard tubes or snack bags. Some of the sturdier plastic materials are impervious to moths, so they will keep your little spooks and sprites in Halloween wear for years to come. Just one look at the expression on the face of little "Count Chipula" in the photo above tells you how much kids love it when their mothers dress them up in old potato chip bags!

You'd better hurry, though; green-thinking parents are going to be snapping up these alternative costumes by the minivan-full. Besides, you will need to allow time for shipping that perfect get-up, since none of the companies that make recycled costumes are in Alameda. So let's all start today, and make sure that none of Alameda's kids will have to be green with envy over their friends' green costumes!