Sustainability

It’s almost that time of year for costume parties, haunted houses, spooky decor, PSLs, and trick or treating. But what is more frightening than any scary movie you’ll watch this season is the unsettling amount of waste that is generated each Halloween. The National Retail Federation (NRF) has reported that Halloween spending in the U.S. can exceed $13 billion in one year. That spending primarily goes toward cheap costumes that typically end up in landfills after one use, with an estimated 35 million costumes trashed annually. Costumes aren’t the only culprits though. A trip to any big store at this time of year will display plenty of plastic decorations too.

Instead of playing a part in this yearly single-use seasonal extravaganza, try these 5 tips for lowering your impact this Halloween.

Reuse, Recycle, and Repeat Costumes

Before buying a pre-packaged costume, try finding your costume in your own closet, at a thrift store, or even asking a friend. It’s understandable that you may not want to repeat the same costume every year, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy a new one either. Get creative and think about designing your costumes as representations rather than replicas. For instance, if you want to be a pirate, can you use that one white button up shirt, a suit vest, and some rolled up pants that you already have in your closet?

Decorate Wisely

Halloween decorations can contribute a lot of waste, especially if they aren’t reused year after year. Instead of buying items that are trendy or disposable, consider items that are sturdy, timeless, and can be found around the house. Try to avoid decorations that require batteries, are easily broken, and are made up of flimsy plastic. If you purchase decorations, save them for future celebrations. You can also create decorations using old jars, cardboard, and fabric. An old sheet and some newspaper or a balloon can easily be fashioned into a ghost; cleverly cut-out cardboard can be transformed into tombstones for the front yard; and ceramic pumpkins to set outside each year may be more economical than using real ones.

But Don’t Decorate with Pumpkins

Speaking of pumpkins, let’s ditch the desire to carve pumpkins just to throw them out. More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkin are sent to landfills each year, with a large proportion of that coming from jack-o-lanterns. Decomposing pumpkins produce methane gas in landfills, contributing to climate change, and before they ever get to your doorstep or the dump, they use valuable land and water to grow. If you want to carve a pumpkin, consider eating the pieces you carve (like the seeds) and putting the rest in compost when Halloween is over.

Trick or Treat Responsibly

Trick-or-treating can be one of the best parts of Halloween, especially for kids. Instead of driving to another destination, trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood so that you can walk, bike, or scooter from house to house. Since kids are mostly concerned with the candy and not the container, use and decorate household items for them to collect with – an old pillowcase, a basket, a tote bag (we know you have a few of those lying around!) or even a school backpack can work. On the other side, if you’re handing out candy to tricksters, buy in bulk to cut down on plastic waste.

Wicked Good, Waste-Free Party

The best Monster Mash can also be an eco-friendly affair. These ideas can help lower your impact on the earth while not taking away from the boo-tiful bash.

• Send digital invitations
• Use biodegradable dishes, cups, and cutlery
• Provide a recycle bin for glass bottles and aluminum cans
• Make or buy food that’s not individually packaged
• Support Colorado farmers by buying seasonal and locally sourced produce
• Compost your food scraps and any unwanted leftovers after the party

Don’t be scared to start an eco-friendly Halloween tradition this year!

Planning an event in Wheat Ridge? Make it green! Sustainable event planning is more than a trend: it’s a simple and powerful way to reduce your environmental impact, support local businesses, and inspire change in your community. Not sure where to start? We’ve identified five key areas where you can swap an event essential for a greener choice.

Waste Management

Events of all sizes produce waste. Thinking thoughtfully about the inputs and outputs of events can help reduce your event’s overall environmental impact. Consider using compostable or reusable materials for décor, nametags, signage, and utensils to keep inputs green. And provide clearly labeled recycling and composting bins in addition to trash, with signage or volunteers to help guests properly sort their waste.

Food and Beverage

Choose locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients to reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation or offer plant-based menu options, which generally require fewer resources to produce. Work with your caterer to minimize food waste by planning portion sizes accurately and identifying ways that surplus food can be donated, shared, or composted after the event.

Transportation

Encourage guests to walk, bike, take public transportation, or carpool to the event if possible, with options communicated to attendees prior to the event. Offer incentives for eco-friendly travel such as discounts or rewards or provide shuttle service for large events with limited parking. Schedule events outside of peak commute hours to reduce traffic congestion and increased carbon emissions for those who do drive.

Communications

Go digital with invitations, programs, advertising, and registration. Use reusable signage and eco-friendly printing methods when physical materials are necessary. Highlight your sustainability efforts in all communications to engage and educate attendees on the steps you’ve taken to make the event greener.

Décor and Materials

Select a venue that has existing sustainability practices in place, is LEED certified, or is accessible by public transportation. Opt for reusable, recyclable or compostable décor like using live plants, dried flowers, or reusable décor instead of single-use items. Choose cloth tablecloths and giveaway items made of natural materials that won’t end up in trash at the end of the event.

Interested in learning more but don’t know where to start? The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) website has a growing list of green businesses in the community for vendors or venues. If you have any questions about planning a green event in Wheat Ridge, don’t hesitate to reach out to sustainability@ci.wheatridge.co.us.

Don't miss our annual paint recycling event in partnership with Sustainable Wheat Ridge, Wheat Ridge Sustainable Neighborhoods, and GreenSheen! This event will be held at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center on Saturday, August 16 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and is completely free for anyone and everyone, no need to be a Wheat Ridge resident. See the flyer below for additional information about accepted items. Cash donations will be accepted to support the Sustainable Neighborhoods program. We hope to see you there!

Wildfires are powerful and often unpredictable natural disasters that can destroy homes, harm wildlife, and endanger lives in a matter of moments. As climate change leads to drier conditions and longer fire seasons, the need for wildfire awareness has never been more critical.

Understanding Wildfires

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation, forests, grasslands, and even urban areas. While some wildfires start naturally due to lightning, the majority are caused by human activities such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, power lines, and even arson.

Why Awareness Matters

Raising awareness about wildfires helps individuals and communities prepare before disaster strikes. Education can reduce risky behaviors, promote fire-safe practices, and increase readiness during fire season. Being informed can save lives and minimize property loss.

How to Stay Safe

1. Create a defensible space around your home by clearing dry brush, trimming trees, and removing flammable materials.
2. Follow local fire bans and never leave a campfire unattended.
3. Have an evacuation plan and emergency kit ready, including important documents, water, food, and medications.
4. Stay informed through local alerts, emergency services, and weather updates.

The Role of Community

Wildfire prevention and response require cooperation. Communities can organize clean-up efforts, educate neighbors, and support local fire departments. By working together, we can reduce wildfire risks and build resilience. Check out some of these resources and tips from Jefferson County on how to stay safe and protect what is important to you!

As we pedal our way into summer, it is a great time to consider how you can incorporate biking (and public transportation!) into your summer plans!

Bike to Work Day

Leave your cars at home and enjoy bicycling to work on June 25th, this year’s Bike to Work Day! This annual free event draws tens of thousands of Colorado commuters who celebrate the day by swapping a ride in their cars for a ride on two wheels. Participating helps improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce traffic congestion. Keep your eyes open for stations in Wheat Ridge, Edgewater and Denver. If you’re heading into downtown Denver, stop by the region’s largest Bike to Work Day breakfast station on Bannock Street in Civic Center Park, or bring your bike to the Webb Building Garage P1 anytime between 12:00PM and 2:00PM for a free tune-up. Sign up to ride and look for a station: https://biketoworkday.co/

Big Bikes in the Community

No wheels of your own? No problem! Organizations in Wheat Ridge, including the Senior Resource Center and the Active Transportation Advisory Team (ATAT) are working with other local organizations and event to provide fun mobility services. The Senior Resource Center has recently acquired an e-trishaw (the seats are in front of the bicyclist) to better serve their guests. In the months to come, they’ll be providing seniors with free bike rides around the neighborhood and to and from the Active Adult Center. Keep your eyes out for the Cycletrooper as well. The ATAT’s big, blue pedicab makes frequent appearances at community events and cruiser rides around town.

Each spring, you may hear about “No Mow May.” This campaign encourages people to delay mowing to let early flowers grow, providing food for bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects. Even if you’ve already mowed this season, there are still plenty of ways to support pollinators year-round.

Across Colorado’s Front Range, native bees, butterflies, birds, and even garden snakes help keep our landscapes healthy. Many live in or near our yards. Mowing less often and allowing patches of grass or flowers to grow taller gives insects a place to live and feed.

Planting native species is another great way to help. These plants naturally thrive in Colorado’s climate, need less water, and support local pollinators. You can also mix in clover, wildflowers, or flowering groundcovers in place of grass. The Colorado Native Plant Society’s guide (PDF) offers excellent recommendations for low-water native plants.

Using fewer or no lawn chemicals is also key. Many weed sprays and bug killers harm more than just pests. Even organic products can be dangerous to pollinators, so always check the label. The National Wildlife Federation shares helpful tips on maintaining a chemical-free lawn.

And finally, leave a little wildness. Brush piles, bare soil, and dry leaves create habitat for insects, birds, and other beneficial creatures. Denver Urban Gardens has great ideas for creating a pollinator-friendly space.

A healthy yard doesn’t always look perfectly green. It might buzz, flutter, and even slither—these are signs of life! Supporting pollinators helps your whole garden and ecosystem thrive.

It is mid-April and that usually means you are seeing bumble bee queens, indicating that you can start your winter clean up of your plants from last season. Leaving last season's debris in place over the winter gives a home for all those pollinators and bugs so we will continue to have these beneficial bugs in the future. Let’s embrace the “winter interest” that our plants provide us!

For some reason it is always exciting to see new growth pop up in the spring along with accompanying pollinators. Is it the anticipation of those summer flowers bursting with color and attracting those bees and butterflies? Have you ever just watched those pollinators do their thing? It is amazing! Or do you prefer those autumn colors? So much to look forward to.

Are you interested in learning more about how to pick the keystone plants for our front range pollinators? Visit Home Grown National Park for tips on how to get started.

You might also consider celebrating Earth Day this year by attending the Foothills Community Choir concert focusing on the environment.

Sustainable Wheat Ridge is partnering with water conservation non-profit Resource Central again this year to offer Garden In A Box and Lawn Replacement programs at discounted prices! These programs are designed to help you remove turf from your yards, replace it with low-water pollinator-friendly landscaping, and help you save money on your water bill - all while conserving water for the planet!

Garden In A Box Program

Pre-designed garden kits contain plants that are made for Colorado soil, and the simple plant-by-number maps take the guesswork out of buying and planting. Plus, the garden kits can help neighbors save around 7,300 gallons of water over the lifetime of your garden compared to a traditional grass lawn. Gardens are expected to sell out quickly, so shop for yours today by visiting ResourceCentral.org/Gardens! Wheat Ridge residents are eligible for a $25 discount on qualifying garden kits while supplies last.

Lawn Replacement Program

Converting thirsty lawn into a low-water landscape can be exhausting! Jump-start your water saving landscape project by hiring Resource Central to physically remove and compost a section of your lawn for as little as $1.00 per square foot. They’ll help get you one step closer to planting the low-water garden you’ve always dreamed of! Wheat Ridge residents are eligible for up to a $750 discount while very limited supplies last - find more information and apply today at ResourceCentral.org/lawn or by calling 303-999-3820 ext. 221.

Valentine's Day, or any holiday for that matter, can be celebrated sustainably by using eco-friendly products, reducing waste, and supporting local businesses. Here are some quick and easy tips to keep in mind:

Use Eco-Friendly Products

• Use cloth napkins and reusable plates instead of paper
• Use eco-conscious wrapping paper
• Use sustainably grown coffee, chocolate, and organic wine. Cocoa farming causes 70% of global deforestation

Reduce Waste

• Use seasonal foods, which are healthier and have a lower carbon footprint
• Wrap gifts in upcycled materials like newspaper or fabric. Next year save and reuse some of your holiday wrapping

Support Local Businesses

• Buy handmade items from local artisans
• Share a local meal
• Help kids make eco-friendly cards in the classroom

Give Long-Lasting Gifts

• Give a living plant instead of flowers
• Give a reusable essential like a water bottle or coffee tumbler
• Give a solitary bee hive that provides shelter for native bees

By following these steps, you can start to turn sustainable living into habit and share your progress with friends and family!

Sustainability Programming Updates

Implementation of the 2024 Sustainability Action Plan is underway. On January 13 staff presented a resolution acknowledging the climate emergency, reaffirming the City’s commitment to climate action. Other projects planned for 2025 include collecting and baselining waste, emissions, and water data for municipal operations to establish subsequent reduction targets. The Sustainable Wheat Ridge committee is also working to expand participation in the Green Business Program and introduce recycling and composting options at City events such as the Easter Egg Hunt and Holiday Celebration. Additionally, staff plans to host annual events including paint recycling, e-waste recycling, and yard waste collection.

Residential Waste Engagement Project Update

City staff and HDR wrapped up the Residential Waste Engagement Project at the November 18, 2024 study session, sharing outcomes from the final phase of public engagement and public survey as well as final recommendations. At this meeting, City Council directed staff to move forward with the following steps:

• Explore increasing the frequency of annual events such as TLC Clean-Up Days and Large Item Pick-Up events, with a focus on yard waste and supporting disadvantaged households.
• Evaluate partnerships with community drop-off sites and organizations like Scraps Mile High to expand waste diversion opportunities for residents.
• Enhance awareness of available waste diversion programs and events.
• Stay engaged with the ongoing Extended Producer Responsibility efforts, which will result in access to curbside recycling at no added charge for all Colorado residents beginning in 2026.

Staff is actively working on these next steps and plans to return to City Council with an update in spring 2025.