Is it August or October? One day it's 85 degrees and humid, the next day it's below 60 and dreary outside. Once Mother Nature makes up her mind, it will be the right time for fall cleaning, raking and composting leaves...as well as beautiful fall hikes, visits to the apple orchard, and creating the perfect Halloween costume!
Make a clean, green sweep: Fall cleaning ideas
Did you discover a lot of "junk" during fall cleaning? Find new homes for that stuff, instead of putting it in the garbage.
Reusable stuff: Your "trash" might be someone else's "treasure." Donate your reusable stuff to a community organization like Bridging, Goodwill , or Arc's Value Village. You can also give it away for free by posting it online at Twin Cities Free Market.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs): Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they cannot be put in the trash. There are several options for CFL recycling, depending on where you live.
First check with your electric utility, since some electric utilities have arrangements with hardware stores and other retailers to accept used residential fluorescent lights, as well as customer coupons to cover the cost of recycling.
For a list of retailers that accept used CFLs, check out Earth 911 or call 800-253-2687.
Household hazardous waste: A lot of products around the house should not be dumped down the drain or placed in the garbage. Check out GreenGuardian.com (Twin Cities metro) or the MPCA (greater Minnesota) to determine if a product is hazardous and to find the household hazardous waste collection site in your county.
So sustainable, it's scary: Celebrating a green Halloween
Halloween is black and orange, but not necessarily green. But there ARE things you can do to make the scariest time of the year more sustainable.
Pumpkins
Search the Minnesota Grown Directory for local farms and farmers' markets selling pumpkins in your area. Look for organically grown pumpkins, too.
When the fun is over, put your jack o' lantern in your compost bin.
Costumes
Make your own, with supplies from second-hand and thrift stores, as well as stuff you find during fall cleaning. For ideas, check out Coolest-Homemade-Costumes.com
Swap costumes with your friends and neighbors. You could even throw a "find a costume" party before Halloween.
Rent a costume.
Treats
Look at the co-op or natural foods section of the grocery store for treats that are organic and have minimum or recycled content packaging.
Hand out treats that can be used again and again, like pencils or small boxes of crayons.
Arm your trick-or-treaters with reusable treat bags. Canvas shopping bags or pillowcases work well.
Hopefully, Halloween this year can be a treat for the planet, too!
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Get your new 2008 Blue Sky Guide today! It's full of coupons and info about great green products and services.
Take the next step in living more sustainably. Attend a free workshop offered by Do It Green! Visit the website or call 612-345-7973 to RSVP.
Green Careers: Green career opportunities are unlimited, but where are they and how do you snag one? What action can you take now to get on your green career track and work for a sustainable world? Barbara Parks from Green Career Tracks will help you answer these questions and get you started on creating your own green career customized plan.
October 25, 6 to 8 p.m. at West 7th Community Center (St. Paul)
November 8, noon to 2 p.m. at Washburn Public Library (Minneapolis)
November 10, noon to 2 p.m. at Natural Built Home (Minneapolis)
Host an Energy Challenge Block Party! This is a fun way for neighbors to learn how to save $500 or more a year on their energy bills. Minneapolis block clubs can enter a contest to win prizes. Sign up with the Alliance for Sustainability.
Have you ever thought about Greening Your Garage? Learn more about small green roofs on October 15 at this free workshop in St. Paul, hosted by Capitol Region Watershed District and Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District. Pre-registration is required.
Learn the basics of wind energy at Introduction to Wind Systems on October 20. This course is offered by Minnesota Renewable Energy Society and Midwest Renewable Energy Association.
See how everyday life has been shaped by electrification and learn how you can take responsibility for our electrical future: Check out the new Electrifying Minnesota exhibit at the Bakken Library and Museum in Minneapolis.
Looking for inspiration for change, education for action, and connection for empowerment? Attend the Northland Bioneers Conference in St. Paul, November 2 through 4.
Did you discover a lot of "junk" during fall cleaning? Find new homes for that stuff, instead of putting it in the garbage. 
So sustainable, it's scary: Celebrating a green Halloween 
