Eco-Friendly Halloween: How to be Spooky and Sustainable

By Croft McLean

Halloween is a time for spooky excitement, creative costumes, and delicious candies, but it’s also a time when waste piles up, and that’s the real fright! From single-use plastic decorations to piles of candy wrappers and throwaway costumes, the environmental impact of Halloween can be downright terrifying. But fear not! There are plenty of ways to enjoy all the fun this spooky season has to offer while being eco-conscious.

The Real Horror... Halloween Waste

You might love Halloween for its haunted houses, scary costumes, and all of the candy, but have you ever stopped to think about the waste left behind?

Costumes: Millions of costumes are made of non-recyclable synthetic materials, often worn just once and then tossed in the trash.

Candy Wrappers: The individually wrapped candies generate an overwhelming amount of plastic waste.

Decorations: Plastic skeletons, blow-up lawn displays, and synthetic cobwebs end up in landfills, contributing to a growing environmental issue.

When you really think about this, it's terrifying! But don’t fret, there are many ways to celebrate Halloween sustainably. By making small changes to your costume, decor, and party planning, you can enjoy an eco-friendly holiday and help reduce waste as well as having fun! 

Costume Conscious: Eco-Friendly Ways to Dress Up

One of the easiest ways to reduce waste this Halloween is by rethinking your costume choices. Skip the store-bought, single-use outfits, and get creative!

DIY Costumes from Home: You’d be surprised what you can create using clothes and materials you already own. An old sheet can become a classic ghost costume, or a cardboard box can transform into a robot or even a dinosaur! Check out this DIY costume tutorial for more inspiration. Repurposing items from your closet not only saves money but also keeps waste out of landfills.

Thrift and Swap: Host a costume swap with friends or check out local thrift stores for unique pieces. Costume swaps are a fun way to refresh your Halloween look without buying something new. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to connect with friends or your community in a sustainable way. Learn more about organizing a swap in this thrift shop costume guide.

Eco-Friendly Materials: If you do decide to craft your own costume, consider using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, or fabrics made from recycled fibers. Avoid plastic-based fabrics like polyester, which can shed microplastics when washed. This eco-friendly fabric guide can help you choose greener materials for your DIY projects.

Spooky Yet Sustainable Decorations

Halloween decorations can be a huge source of waste, but there are plenty of eco-friendly options to consider instead of plastic pumpkins and synthetic cobwebs.

Natural Elements: Use nature to your advantage! Pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and dried corn stalks make beautiful fall decor that is compostable and biodegradable. Once Halloween is over, they can be added to your compost pile, making them a zero-waste option. You can find more inspiration in this DIY natural decoration blog.

Reusable Decoration: Invest in sturdy, reusable decorations that you can use year after year. Fabric banners, wooden signs, or glass lanterns are great alternatives to single-use items. Check out this list of sustainable Halloween decor ideas for more eco-friendly inspiration. Instead of buying new, you can also get crafty and turn everyday items into spooky decor! Old jars can be turned into eerie candle holders, and cardboard boxes can become tombstones or haunted house props. This upcycling guide shows you how to turn trash into treasures for Halloween.

Trick-or-Treat Responsibly

If you’re handing out candy, consider more sustainable options. Instead of plastic-wrapped candies, offer treats that come in recyclable packaging, or even non-candy items like pencils or seed packets. You can also set up a recycling station in your neighborhood for candy wrappers with organizations like TerraCycle, which offers programs to recycle hard-to-recycle waste. Also, check out other cool ways to use your candy wrappers here!

Wrapping It Up, Let's Make Halloween Scary for the Right Reasons

This year, let's make the real horror the costumes, haunted houses, and ghost stories, not the mountains of waste! With a little creativity, we can all enjoy Halloween while doing our part to protect the planet. By using natural materials, opting for reusable or recyclable decor, and rethinking our approach to costumes and candy, we can keep this spooky season sustainable and fun. Don’t forget to share your own tricks for an eco-conscious celebration!