by Corey

Welcome to Day #3 of our

“31 days of {Green!} Giveaways“

Today’s question: “What was your favorite Halloween costume EVER?”

Today is day #3 of our month-long, trick-or-treating party for parents!

Just knock on our door (AKA blog) each day, answer the daily question (in lieu of shouting, “Trick or treat!” – although you are totally welcome to write that as well) and you’ll be entered to win some absolutely fabulous, ever-so-eco-friendly prizes.

Today’s prizes are worth $62!

Here’s what we have for October 3, 2011…

Gift certificate for (lead-free, mineral-based) Face Paints Set from Terrafirma Cosmetics. Value $24.99. Winner pays shipping.

Kids Konserve™ Orgininal Snak Pak. Value $22. Ships to continental US and Canada only.

Gift certificate for $15 at EcoMom.com. (Can be used at the Green Halloween® marketplace or anywhere on EcoMom.com). Winner pays shipping.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Add your e-mail address to the comment login, below. (We cannot notify you if we don’t have your e-mail address!)

2. Add a comment (one per e-mail address) with your answer to the question above.

3. Comment must post before 11:59pm PST – TONIGHT

Be sure to review our giveaway rules here. Please note shipping limitations.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook & Twitter for daily reminders & updates for the 31 Days of {Green} Giveaways promotion.

Good luck & have FUN!

(see you tomorrow )

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Packing a “zero waste” lunch (that’s healthier for your child and the planet)

School is back in swing and, for many parents, that means packing disposable lunches.

But did you know that according to www.wastefreelunches.org doing so creates an average of 67 pounds of waste per year? For the average elementary school, that’s 18,000 pounds a year. For the entire country of elementary schools? It equals  1.2 billion pounds.

Fear not, busy moms and dads, we’ve got six simple ways you can save the planet and your money, too.

1.      Do away with disposable paper bags and choose reusable lunch boxes, bags or baskets instead. Be sure they’re durable (so they’ll last) and PVC and lead-free. Bags or boxes made of recycled materials such as old soda bottles earn you bonus points.

2.      Pack food in reusable containers rather than disposable paper, wax, foil or plastic. This option is also the safest for your child when you choose organic cotton, stainless steel or glass instead. How to save money? Save small glass jars from other foods and reuse for lunches.

3.      Send beverages in reusable stainless steel containers. Skip the plastic and coated aluminum.

4.      Use cloth napkins. Buy or make yourself using pinking shears and squares cut from (sturdy) fabric scraps. Cotton and naturally anti-microbial hemp are ideal materials.

5.      Choose reusable utensils: stainless steel (find at a thrift store) or bamboo.

6.      Ask your child to bring all uneaten food and food scraps home. Compost. OR, talk to your child’s school about starting a composting program there.

Resources:

• http://www.myhealthyschool.com
• http://www.greenschools.net
• http://www.greenschoolsalliance.org

School activity: Our 4th annual ChicoBag & Green Halloween trick-or-treat design contest will soon be open for all children up to age 13! What a fun, fall activity for family or classroom. Last year’s contest was featured in Real Simple magazine and 10% of the sale of the bags support the national Green Halloween® initiative. If your student artist would like to enter, click here for details. BONUS: Here’s a free Green Halloween teacher’s toolkit with even more ways to celebrate the season sustainably!

And check out Green Halloween founder, Corey Colwell-Lipson‘s, ideas for an “Eco-Friendly Lunchbox” in ParentMap magazine!

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2011, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.