Halloween is an exciting time filled with costumes, decorations, and – of course – plenty of candy! But with all the treats comes an unfortunate trick on the environment: candy wrappers that end up in the landfill. This year, the Park District of Franklin Park is thrilled to announce our participation in a candy wrapper recycling program, which aims to recycle candy wrappers instead of letting them go to waste. Here’s everything you need to know about this eco-friendly initiative and how you can join us in making a difference.
Since most candy wrappers are not accepted in curbside recycling due to their mixed-material composition, this program provides a unique solution by offering dedicated recycling boxes for these items.
As a participant, the Park District of Franklin Park will have a designated recycling box available for the community to use. This way, Franklin Park residents can enjoy Halloween without the guilt of contributing to unnecessary waste.
How You Can Participate
Getting involved is easy! Follow these simple steps to recycle your candy wrappers responsibly:
- Collect Your Candy Wrappers: After Halloween, gather up your candy wrappers (making sure they’re clean and empty).
- Visit the Trick or Trash Box: Bring your wrappers to our Trick or Trash recycling box, located at Centre at North Park, Community Center or Franklin Park Ice Arena.
- Drop Your Wrappers in the Box: Simply toss your wrappers into the box. Once the box is full, it will be sent to a recycling facility, where the wrappers will be processed and turned into reusable materials.
This program is open to all community members, so tell your friends, family, and neighbors to bring their wrappers and contribute to a cleaner, greener Halloween!
Why Recycling Candy Wrappers Matters
Candy wrappers are a type of single-use plastic, often made from a blend of materials like aluminum and polypropylene, which can’t be processed through standard recycling methods. If left in the trash, these wrappers can take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the growing plastic pollution crisis. By participating, our community can help reduce the amount of waste generated by Halloween festivities and promote a more sustainable future.