Green Halloween in McKinney, Texas

In McKinney, Texas, Kerry Shields, the city’s Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for Solid Waste and Recycling, is helping the community celebrate Halloween sustainably this year. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., McKinney continues to prioritize sustainability, and Shields is committed to promoting this focus, saying, “We are unique by nature in McKinney, and Halloween should be unique as well.” To prepare for Halloween, McKinney puts on a “Trail or Treat” event which took place this year on October 19. Over 4,000 residents joined in for interactive activities that included games, displays, and decorations crafted from upcycled materials.

At the annual “Trail or Treat” event, McKinney is teaching residents simple ways to reduce waste. One tip: swap disposable candy buckets for reusable pillowcases or cloth bags. “We must teach residents to…focus first on reduction and to think before they are buying,” she explains, adding “[and] after reduction we move on to reuse.” She encourages repurposing items from around the house, like using yard signs as gravestones for Halloween decor, and swapping costumes among friends. Her own costume reflects this: a homemade “Recycling Wizard” outfit made from thrift store finds, including a staff adorned with a recycled symbol crafted from old cardboard and paint.

For pumpkins, she encourages residents to reuse creatively or even compost them after the season ends. "Over 2,000 tons of pumpkin waste are generated every year," she shares. “If residents really want the classic pumpkin carving experience, I encourage them to make pumpkin pie, roast the seeds, and think through where the food waste will go.”