October

October always feels like a turning point. The air gets cooler (usually), the leaves start changing, and with every season comes new lessons. This month, I’m reflecting on waste, health, and energy.

Halloween & Waste

Halloween is fun… and not surprisingly, wasteful. Costumes, candy wrappers, plastic décor, a lot of it gets used once and tossed. The goal here isn’t to discourage celebrating (I love fall festivities myself), but to share a few ways to make it less wasteful this year and in the future.

Decor

Instead of stocking up on plastic pumpkins and faux leaves, try incorporating the real stuff. Pumpkins, gourds, or even fall foliage can look beautiful and are compostable (& edible if you're into that). If you do purchase decorative items, choose ones that are durable enough to be packed away and reused year after year. Not only does this keep them out of the landfill, it also saves you money. Double win.

Costumes

Fast-fashion costumes are typically worn once and discarded. This year, challenge yourself to create a costume from your own closet or thrift store finds. It’s a chance to get creative, spend less, and cut down on fashion waste. Bonus points if you design a costume from pieces you’ll actually wear again. (Think “pirate blouse” that doubles as a going-out top later.)

Candy

Let’s be real. Candy & sweet treats are one of the best parts of fall/Halloween. While individual wrappers are essential for safety and health, they’re nearly impossible to recycle. What you can do is be mindful of how much you purchase or consume. And if you’re hosting a small gathering with people you trust, consider swapping some of the store-bought candy for homemade treats or bulk goodies that don’t require individual wrapping.

A quick reminder: Many sustainable alternatives require a little planning ahead. When we’re busy, it’s easy to default to the cheapest or most convenient option…which usually isn’t the most env-friendly. Planning even one swap in advance can make a difference.

Breast Cancer & Environmental Health

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about protecting the trees and the bees, it’s also about protecting people, including you. Human health and the environment are deeply connected. It’s nearly impossible to stay healthy while living in an unhealthy environment.

Research shows that exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants can increase breast cancer risk. For example:

Plastics & packaging: Many plastics contain endocrine disruptors (like BPA) that mess with hormones.
Air pollution: Long-term exposure to poor air quality has been linked to higher cancer risks.
Toxins in personal care products: Certain parabens and phthalates, often found in cosmetics or cleaning products, are under scrutiny for their potential links to hormone-related cancers.

A healthy body depends on a healthy environment. The products you use, the food you eat, and the air you breathe all trace back to your own well-being.

Your challenge: This month, reflect on your daily habits and try making three swaps that support both your health and the environment. Some ideas:

Replace a plastic water bottle with a stainless steel or glass one.
Try fragrance-free or natural cleaning supplies.
Swap out one highly processed meal for a whole-food, plant-based option.

Changing Seasons

October is also National Energy Awareness Month (established in 1991 by the U.S. Department of Energy). The purpose is simple: to highlight how our energy choices affect the environment and to encourage everyone, from governments to businesses & households, to use energy more wisely.

Why it matters: Energy production is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions. Small improvements in efficiency, when multiplied across millions of people, can, and will have positive environmental impact, and savings

How you can apply it at home:

Switch to LED bulbs

You know this one. They use about 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

2. Seal drafts

Focus around doors and windows before winter. Saves money and keep heat in.

3. Unplug electronics when not in use

Even standby power (a glowing red light or charging block left plugged in) draws energy.

Want to get creative and play detective? Do a DIY energy audit. Walk through your home and make a list: Where do you feel drafts? Which lights are still incandescent? Are devices plugged in 24/7? This informal check can help you spot areas for improvement you may not notice otherwise.

Want more tips? Check out this blog by Home Depo: https://ecoactions.homedepot.com/blog/energy-awareness-month-home-upgrades/

Lessons in Sustainability

Every fall, my job hosts Harvest Day, a seasonal community event full of local shopping, seasonal treats, and family fun. For me, as Sustainability Coordinator, it’s also a live experiment. A chance to test new strategies to reduce waste and learn how people interact with sustainable systems in real time.

Last year, my goal was to collect aluminum cans. It didn’t go as planned. Many cans ended up mixed with food waste and trash, making them nearly impossible to salvage. This year, I took what I learned and tried again with improved bin locations and clearer signage. The result? A significant increase in clean, recyclable cans. It’s small but definitely my win for the day.

We also introduced composting this year, which brought its own lessons. The challenge wasn’t the lack of willingness, my guess is it's a gap between knowledge and convenience. Many people defaulted to the landfill bin simply because it felt easier or more familiar, even though composting signs were posted. This enforced that education and signage placement are just as important as having the option available. People won't opt for it if they don't really know what it is.

My biggest takeaway: You won’t get everything right the first time. Building sustainable systems takes practice, feedback, and iteration. The key is progress over perfection(I have to remind myself of this often). Each year, we’re creating a stronger foundation for sustainability, while also showing the community that learning together is part of the process.

If you’re planning a community event of your own, here are a few quick tips I’ve learned so far:

Signage: Keep it simple, clear, and placed at/near eye level.
Bin Location: Place compost/recycling bins where people naturally pass, convenience is everything.
Feedback: Use each event as a test run; what didn’t work this year can be improved next year.

Harvest Day reminded me that sustainability is as much about people and behavior as it is about systems. Progress happens when the two come together in harmony.

A few local events I found!