Connecticut Green Living

LEDs are light-emitting diodes, a semiconductor light source that issues light when current flows through them. Battery life is much longer than with their counterparts, incandescent bulbs, creating a greener solution not only this Halloween but every day. I was offered the opportunity to try out two LED products, and even though I have no Halloween-age kids, I immediately recognized the importance of reviewing the products. According to a Consumer Affairs report, pedestrians are far more likely to be hit by cars on All Hallows Eve than on any other night of the year. The author wrote: "The researchers found that the early evening hours -- between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. -- were the most dangerous times, and that Halloween night was responsible for four more pedestrian deaths than any other night of the year. Nearly all of the deaths were suffered by children or young adults." In that vein, I'm happy to recommend both of these LED offerings this Halloween: 1. NanoTorch Twi...

Halloween is here! In my day, we fashioned hand-sewn costumes and reused our uncle's Army jackets or grandma's wig. It was the '70s and recycling was all the rage. Then came the 80s and all bets were off. America kept abusing the planet, including at its holidays, with reams of wasted wrapping paper and ribbons piling up in our livingrooms like non-green monsters. We can do better. Here are some tips, courtesy of ECOlunchboxes of Northern California: Make Your Own Decorations Consider using upcycled and recycled items for decorating, and definitely avoid that nasty “spiderweb” plastic people spread all over their bushes! Create paper cut-outs to decorate windows (which can be stored flat and saved for next year). Cover formed chicken wire with cheesecloth to create floating ghosts in the yard. Party Like a Zero Waste Rockstar Use non-breakable, kid-and-planet friendly items such as stainless-steel camping trays in lieu of paper or plastic plates, cups and utensils....