Every year, as autumn sheds its vibrant leaves, the land is bedecked in hues of orange and black, signifying the advent of All Hallows’ Eve. Halloween, a cherished holiday celebrated with pumpkins, costumes, and sweet treats, unfortunately leaves in its wake a ghastly pile of waste. It is estimated that over 7 million costumes are discarded annually in the UK, and Halloween waste accounts for an alarming 30,000 tons of landfill rubbish.
However, Halloween doesn’t need to be a horror show for the environment. There are many ways we can tread more lightly whilst still enjoying our ghoulish festivities. Here are 10 practical steps to ensure this Halloween isn’t a wasteful one.
Choose Your Costumes Wisely
Instead of buying a new, store-bought costume every year, consider recycling previous years’ costumes. Even better, get creative and make costumes at home using the materials you already have. You could also consider costume exchanges with friends or neighbours, or even hiring from costume shops. If you do buy new, choose Halloween costumes made with sustainable materials that will last.
Sustainable Decorations
Skip the plastic bats, synthetic spiders, and other non-decomposable decorations that only end up in the rubbish bin. Use organic, biodegradable materials such as corn husks, gourds, leaves, and natural fabrics to create a spooky but sustainable atmosphere. Remember, the key to eco-friendly decoration lies in the three Rs; reuse, repurpose and recycle.
Pumpkin Preservation
Pumpkins are a Halloween staple, but shockingly, the UK alone sends roughly 18,000 tons of edible pumpkin waste to landfill each Halloween (a 2019 statistic, we should mention). To combat this, try to use as much of the pumpkin as you can. The pulp can be used in delicious dishes like soups, pies, and bread, while the seeds can be roasted for a healthy, tasty snack. Don’t forget to compost the rest!
Read: 5 pumpkin recipes for autumn
Plastic-Free Treats
Eliminate plastic waste by purchasing your sweet treats in bulk, or even better, make your own! Plenty of easy, healthy Halloween-themed recipes are available online. If you’re giving out treats, use paper bags or other biodegradable packaging to wrap them.
Eco-Friendly Trick Or Treating
Consider alternatives to plastic buckets for gathering goodies. Decorate reusable bags, pillowcases or old baskets for a creative and environmentally friendly twist. Also, try to limit trick or treating to your local area to reduce carbon emissions.
Gift Green
Encourage children to value sustainable practices by offering eco-friendly gifts. Wooden toys, seed packets, mini potted plants, and homemade goodies can all make for delightful surprises.
Host A Green Halloween Party
If you’re planning to host a Halloween party, aim to make it as green as possible. Start by sending digital invitations to eliminate the use of paper. Implement a zero-waste policy by ditching disposable plates and cutlery in favour of reusable ones, or better yet, ask guests to bring their own to contribute to the communal table. Make sure to have recycling bins on hand, so guests know where to dispose of their waste responsibly.
Craft Your Own Makeup
Instead of purchasing high street Halloween make-up, which often contains harsh ingredients and comes packaged in plastic, why not craft your own? There are plenty of tutorials online for homemade, eco-friendly face paint using ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Not only is this a fun activity, but it is also kinder to your skin and the environment!
Sustainable Lighting
Traditional Halloween lighting like plastic-wrapped string lights aren’t exactly eco-friendly. Instead, opt for candles, especially those made of soy or beeswax, to cast eerie shadows in a sustainable way. If you’re carving pumpkins, these can double up as charming, natural lanterns. Just remember to be cautious and never leave burning candles unattended.
Nature-Inspired Activities
Instead of activities that revolve around consumption and waste production, plan some nature-inspired activities. A fun-filled scavenger hunt in the garden, a walk in the woods to spot nighttime creatures, or a star-gazing session can be incredibly exciting for the little ones. Not only do these activities foster an appreciation for nature, but they also reduce the environmental footprint of your Halloween festivities.
By celebrating Halloween this way, we’re teaching the younger generations to love and respect the world around them.
The Bottom Line
This Halloween, let’s aim to leave behind only footprints (and maybe a few candy wrappers) rather than contributing to the mountain of waste that this holiday can often produce. Remember, every small action counts towards protecting our planet. So, let’s make this All Hallows’ Eve not just spooktacular, but sustainable too. Make this year’s Halloween a celebration of creativity, community, and environmental stewardship. After all, there’s nothing scarier than a wasted planet.
Also kinda scary are the stains left behind by a particularly raucous Halloween party. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered on those, too. Here’s our guide on how to clean fake blood and the rest following your spooky soiree. You won’t regret reading this one!
