Wondering what to do with your excess Halloween Candy and Jack o Lanterns now that Halloween is over? We’ve got details on Candy Buyback Near Ann Arbor, Candy Wrapper Recycling, and Pumpkin Donation near us.
Let the kids enjoy the candy for a day or two. Then participate in a Halloween Candy BuyBack 2023 program. Traditionally dental offices collect candy that is sent to support our troops overseas.
In recent years less dentists have been buying back candy. Beacon Dental provided the following response to my inquiry:
Unfortunately we are not doing a candy buy back this year. We had partnered with Operation Gratitude for many years and they stopped. Last year we found another company to partner with but this year they have also stopped
Beacon Dental
This may explain why we have seen a decrease in dentists and other businesses doing candy buy backs.
So far, Saline Orthodontics is the only candy buy back near us that we could find. Let us know if you know of any others.
Saline Orthodontics – 2023 Information
We haven’t seen an official announcement and they didn’t respond to our message asking for details.
However, we did find them listed on the Treats for Troops website with 2023 details. They will accept donations from 4-6p on Wednesday, November 1 through Friday, November 3 and again on Monday, November 6.
Saline Orthodontics is the only site listed for Treats for Troops near Ann Arbor.
Candy Wrapper Disposal – 2023 Update
Halloween creates lots of candy wrapper waste and most packaging can’t go in your recycle bin. Leslie Science & Nature Center and Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum are again participating in Trick or Trash to recycle candy wrappers. Be sure to check the article linked below for details and my tips based on using it last year.
Do you know there are options for Recycling Candy Wrappers in Ann Arbor? We've got details on how to keep your wrappers out of the landfill. Rubicon Trick or Trash...
I have always wonder about what to do with my carved jack-o-lanterns. I usually end up waiting until they get moldy and dumping them in my yard waste bin.
But we have found a few more fun options for pumpkin disposal.
Great Pumpkin Roll
Each year Saline Parks & Rec holds the Great Pumpkin Roll and Mill Pond Park. The 2023 event is on Saturday, November 4. See how your pumpkin rolls versus the competition.
Animal Donation
Did you know animals love pumpkins? We found two options for donating pumpkins to animals near us.
Local Mom Lindsay Duke shared that her family owns a farm near Domino Farms and they will gladly take pumpkins and gourds as long as they are not painted, glittered, moldy, or bleached). You can simply drop off or arrange to visit the animals as well (and maybe feed them your pumpkins). Message her on Facebook or text her at 248-310-7432 to get the address and make arrangements.
Blueville Acres farm has a Pumpkins for Pigs event where you can bring your pumpkin for the pigs.
Do you know of other farms or similar who appreciate pumpkin donations?
Where to Donate Halloween Candy in 2023?
We have found the following places to donate Halloween Candy near us in the past.
Michigan Foster Care Closet Ann Arbor
Michigan Foster Care Closet Ann Arbor typically accepts Halloween candy donations near Ann Arbor. They are located at 251 Jackson Plaza Dr. This is their 2021 announcement. We never saw a 2022 announcement, but will watch for 2023.
Dexter American Legion Post 557 (8225 Dexter Chelsea Rd, Dexter) took donations for Treats for Troops in 2021. We never saw a 2022 announcement, but will check again in 2023. They are not listed on the Treats for Troops site in 2023.
Leftover/Unwanted Halloween CandyTuesday Nov 2 to Thursday November 4 , 7:00 PM onlyBring it the Post and we will deliever it to Soilders Angels, who will ship it overseas.
Do you know of other options for where to donate leftover Halloween candy near us?
How to RePurpose Halloween Candy
So now that you have all this extra candy, what can you do with it?
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
If the giant bowl is suddenly empty, the kids are sure to notice. But, you can take a handful out a day and hide it away. Then you can spread out usage of it.
Baking Ingredients
Save that Halloween Candy for baking! Thanksgiving desserts, Christmas Cookies, and more. I love M&M cookies. Chopped up Reese’s PB Cups also work great for cookies, cheesecake, or brownies.
Gingerbread Houses
Look for opportunities to make gingerbread houses in November & December. Or plan to make your own at home. Buy a kit for the house (or bake if you’re more ambitious than me), and use Halloween candy for decorations. M&M’s, Reeses Cups, Hershey Bars, Starburst, Sour Patch Kids, Smarties, and Tootsie Rolls are some great candy to save for your gingerbread houses.
My daughter and I have also made Graham Cracker Houses.
Rewards
Save that candy and dole it out as a reward. I know we’ve donated candy to classrooms or after school activities in the past. You can ask your child’s school but make sure your treats are inline with any building or classroom wide food restrictions – nut-free. Try to consider other dietary restrictions (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan) in your donation.
Regifting
Don’t buy candy for Christmas stockings, Easter Baskets, or other events. Simply add the leftover Halloween candy. Pro tip for this one: Sort through the candy and use any with Halloween distinct packaging for baking or gingerbread houses that require opening the package first.
Where to Get the Candy?
Of course before you can participate in a Candy Buy Back program, you need to gather the candy.
I definitely recommend the Halloween Treat Parade in Downtown Ann Arbor. Kids can go trick or treating to businesses throughout the Main Street Corridor.
Did you know that most local cities and towns have designated trick or treat hours? They’re all relatively normal evening of Halloween hours.
