The Conscious Consumer mission is to raise awareness among members of how everyday consumption habits affect the interconnected web of existence, and to encourage members to adopt habits that can positively impact the following areas: climate change, conservation, human and animal welfare, and health.

This October challenge is to skip plastic trick or treat trinkets and instead share treats that bring joy without adding un-necessary waste. Parents can keep this practice going year-round by finding plastic-free goodies for birthdays and celebrations, and tell other parents that this is a conscious decision – maybe it will get them thinking about their own choices. Next, when choosing Halloween candy to hand out, look for brands that don’t use palm oil to help protect rainforests and wildlife. Palm oil plantations are often established in tropical rainforests, leading to large-scale deforestation.

A final challenge for our gardeners is to leave the leaves this fall. Fallen leaves are nature’s way of enriching the soil in which plants grow. As they are consumed by fungi, bacteria, and other organisms in the soil, the decomposition process releases nutrients that plants need and improves the soil structure to make it a better home for plants’ roots. You might also leave your garden standing as is through fall and winter. Dry plant stalks provide shelter for insects, and birds con-tinue to find food and perches in your “resting” garden. Together, these small choices add up to big blessings for our planet.
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