There are two things to keep in mind this Halloween as you hand out or receive candy.
Chocolate
Chocolate is awesome, and by no means are we suggesting that you boycott it. Instead, do understand the following:
Chocolate has an environmental and social impact because of its main ingredient, cocoa, which is typically sourced from tropical areas with economically underdeveloped communities. A large percentage of cocoa comes from West Africa. The production of cocoa is linked to deforestation and issues with climate and biodiversity. According to the Yale School of the Environment, the nation of Ivory Coast lost 80% of its forest as the world’s leading producer of cocoa.
Human rights issues like forced labor and child labor are also linked to the production of cocoa. Though major chocolate manufacturers like Hershey’s, Nestle, and Mars have all pledged to stop using cocoa harvested by forced labor or children. We want to reiterate: buy chocolate, but buy responsibly, because the small farmers who grow cocoa depend on the demand for chocolate to make a living.
Waste and Candy Wrappers
Candy wrappers aren’t usually recyclable. And please, don’t just throw your candy wrappers on the ground; properly dispose of them. Happy Trick or Treat!
This article was originally published in October 2022.
