CHARLOTTE, N.C. — We are just days away from Halloween, but making the most out of the holiday could give the environment a scare.
It's the one day a year when extravagant costumes and eating handfuls of candy is encouraged. But after the fun is over, experts warn all that's left is plastic.
Let's connect the dots.
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend over $11 billion on Halloween this year. But experts say most of this stuff will end up in the landfill before next Halloween rolls around.
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The good news is spooky stuff doesn't have to be scary for the environment.
Experts told The New York Times they recommend using secondhand costumes or making them out of clothes you already own. They also recommend replacing plastic decorations with items that can spruce up any holiday.
They suggest changing out cobwebs and gravestones with gourds that can be reused for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Lastly, Halloween tends to come with candy, which means a lot of wrappers are left over. Experts say to cut down on that waste, try buying candies that come in cardboard boxes like milks duds and nerds.
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