There are eco-friendly costumes and then there are ECO-costumes. The later immerses its wearer in environmentally-themed garb. I am always pleasantly surprised when an otherwise shy, quiet and even demure friend bewitches everyone at a Halloween party, by arriving bedecked in a costume that exhibits her/his true colors.

Hey, why not curb your consumerism and spread the message of your environmentalism with a green themed Halloween costume? When I was writing this year’s Halloween post, I stumbled upon some provocative environmentally-themed costumes. Most of the costumes get started by using recycled, upcycled and environmentally-friendly materials. You’ll want to do this or your costume will smack of greenwashing, and the effect of your statement will surely be diminished.

To get the DIY creative juices flowing, and to put your environmental statement into action, make an eco-fashion statement this Halloween with one of the ideas below: (Some of these ideas were inspired from Green Costume Ideas for Halloween written by Shirley Siluk Gregory for Green/Simple Living.)

Eco-Themed Halloween Costumes

Willie Nelson - Dress up as Mr. Eco Himself. Willie’s devotion to everything green is worth emulating. This legendary progressive musician is an outspoken green activist. He is a leading proponent of biofuel (his tour vehicles run on biodiesel). You’ll need a long gray braid, a beard and a bandana on your head.

Not a Plastic Bag - Fashion a burlap, coffee or large feedbag with attached handles and you’re all set to fill’er up.

Compact fluorescent light bulb - Dress in white. Inflate a dozen long balloons and wrap them around your body from chest to hips for a spiral-bound, CFL light bulb look. Eco-friendly balloons like these make for a truly green costume.

Mother Nature - Dress up like nature and bring it to life. Carry around an EcoAcquarium. It’s a tank that uses no chemicals, filters, or aeration. Aquarium creatures will love you.

Global warming - Dress up as the Earth and carry a rising thermometer. Keep the climate change conversation going all night.

Al Gore - Act like you have no sense of humor and then trump them all by carrying the eco-bible, The Inconvenient Truth. Don’t forget to put a “Hello, I’m Al” sticker on your suit.

A Melting Polar Ice Cap - Join Al and dress in white with a white cap emblazed with the words “polar ice” on the front. For an accessory, string a chain of empty water bottles around your neck.

Frankenfood - This is the name given to genetically modified foods. Drape yourself with a few garlands of DIY paper mache fruits and vegetables strung together; paint your face using this healthy make-up recipe, and stick on a couple of fake Frankenstein bolts.

Tree Hugger - Attach yourself to a tree pillow or log pillow and hug away.

Not sure you want to go all eco, but still want to show the Halloween world that you can walk the walk, then wear your heart on your sleeve. Make a statement with these sustainable organic cotton green-themed tees.

Ronnie Citron-Fink lives in New York with her husband, two children (when they come home to the nest), two dogs and a cat. Ronnie is a teacher and a writer. She has been a contributing writer for Family Fun magazine. She currently writes articles about education and home design. Her writings are in four books including Family Fun Home and Some Delights of the Hudson Valley.