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Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and I love seeing everyone’s decorations and costumes throughout October. Recently, though, I’ve been thinking about how to enjoy spooky season more sustainably.
After all, Halloween can produce a lot of waste if we only wear a costume once before throwing it out, along with any plastic accessories that come with it. Costume makeup can be full of toxins, and those fake spiderwebs, which are often made out of PVC or other artificial materials, are dangerous to birds and other wildlife.
Fortunately, there are plenty of steps we can take to enjoy this haunted holiday without producing a bunch of waste or compromising the environment. As you get ready for a night of tricks and treats, here are some ways to make your Halloween festivities both fabulous and eco-friendly.
1. Craft Your Own Spooky Costume
Millions of costumes are bought each year, only to be discarded after a single use. Before dashing to the store for a brand-new Halloween costume every year, pause and think about what’s already in your closet.
You might be able to dive into your wardrobe and pull together a creative ensemble with clothing you already own. An old white sheet can become a Greek toga or a ghostly apparition, and regular clothes can be ‘zombified’ with a touch of faux blood.
Although you might think you don’t have a costume at first glance, you might be surprised what you discover with a little creativity and accessorizing.
2. Opt for Pre-Owned Over New
If shopping in your own closet isn’t working for you, consider opting for a pre-owned costume over a brand new one. Shop on used clothes marketplaces like Poshmark, thredUP, or Facebook Marketplace. You could also explore the aisles of your local thrift store for vintage gems and pre-loved costumes waiting for a second life.
Another great option is organizing or joining a costume swap with your friends. That way, you can give away costumes that you or your kids have worn in previous years while gaining new ones in return at no cost. Pinterest is a great resource for homemade Halloween arts and crafts ideas.
3. Make the Most of Nature’s Decorations
Who needs plastic skeletons and PVC cobwebs when nature provides us with an array of Halloween decor? Embrace the autumn spirit with pumpkins, gourds, leaves, and twigs. These materials not only offer an authentic fall vibe, but once the festivities are over, they can be composted, returning to the earth.
If you’re into crafting, repurpose old materials into decorations. You can turn glass jars into lanterns, for instance, or sew scrap fabric into ghosts and ghouls.
4. Rethink Your Treats
Halloween candy, while delightful, often comes with excessive plastic packaging. To cut down on individual wrappers, consider bulk-buying this year. Seek out sustainable brands that offer eco-friendly packaging, too.
If you’re hosting a Halloween party, opt for homemade or locally baked treats for your guests. Whip up cupcakes, chocolate-dipped fruits, or other baked goods that scream Halloween without the waste.
5. Host a Zero-Waste Bash
Planning a Halloween party? Consider ways you can make it more eco-friendly. For instance, you could put out reusable plates and cutlery instead of disposable items or send digital invitations via email, social media, or a platform like Evite instead of paper ones.
Consider activities that double as sustainable practices, like a pumpkin carving contest where the scooped-out insides can be repurposed for pies or roasted seeds.
6. Choose Mindful Makeup and Accessories
Dressing up often means makeup and accessories. But many Halloween makeup kits contain chemicals and come in packaging destined for the landfill. Search for makeup brands that pride themselves on natural ingredients and sustainable packaging.
For accessories, think outside the box. Do you really need a new plastic prop, or can you craft one from cardboard or repurpose jewelry or other items around your home?
7. Optimize Your Pumpkin Practices
With pumpkins central to Halloween, it’s startling to realize that over a billion pounds of them end up in landfills annually, where they produce the greenhouse gas, methane. Rather than throwing your old jack-o-lantern in the trash, compost it so it can decompose into the soil.
When you’re carving, make the most of every part of the pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds are perfect for roasting, and the flesh can go into pies, soups, and bread.
8. Give Your Kids Reusable Bags for Trick-or-Treating
If you have kids, have them use cloth bags or pillowcases for their candy haul. Encourage them to take good care of the bag and save it in a specific spot to re-use again the following year.
That way, you can ditch the single-use plastic bags while teaching your kids how to reduce waste.
9. Save Your Decorations for Next Year
Once the Halloween festivities are over, think of how you’ll store or dispose of your decorations and costumes. Aim to keep decorations for the following years, so you can use them again and again without having to buy new stuff.
If you have costumes you won’t use again, try donating them rather than throwing them in the trash. Compost organic waste and recycle whenever possible. Your efforts to wrap up sustainably will help ensure that Halloween’s aftermath won’t haunt the environment.
Celebrate a Witchy, Waste-Free Night Next Halloween
While Halloween can (and should) give us plenty of scares from werewolves, witches, and wandering zombies, let’s keep the real-life horrors away from our environment. This Halloween, while you’re dodging ghouls and vampires, consider how you can make spooky memories without a monstrous carbon footprint.
Reducing waste, avoiding single-use plastic, and composting pumpkins instead of sending them to the landfill are all great ways to celebrate Halloween mindfully while showing our planet a little love in the process.
For more holiday tips, check out our guide on how to have a sustainable Christmas.
