Halloween is a time for creativity, fun, and celebration, but it can also lead to a significant amount of waste. From plastic decorations and costumes to single-use sweet wrappers, the spooky season has a hidden environmental cost.
However, with a little planning and some eco-friendly practices, a more sustainable Halloween can be enjoyed without sacrificing the fun. Here’s how to celebrate Halloween with the planet in mind:
1. Eco-Friendly Costumes
Each year, millions of Halloween costumes are purchased, often made from non-biodegradable synthetic materials, such as polyester, and worn only once before being discarded. Polyester is a thread made from plastic, woven into fabric. It’s thought over half of the clothes produced today use synthetic materials like polyester.
These materials often do not break down or can’t be recycled, which creates a massive plastic waste problem. At the moment it is estimated that fast-fashion is responsible for between 8-10% of fossil fuel use today and the percentage is rising every year.
To avoid this kind of waste:
- DIY Costumes: Get creative with homemade costumes using items you already own or second-hand clothes. Thrift stores can be a treasure trove for finding unique pieces to put together a one-of-a-kind look.
- Swap and Share: Organize costume swaps with friends, family, or colleagues. Exchanging costumes not only saves money but also reduces waste.
2. Sustainable Decorations
Halloween decorations are often made of plastic. Here are a few ideas for more eco-friendly decorating:
- DIY Decor: Reuse items from around the house. Old fabric can be turned into spooky ghosts, or scrap paper can be cut into bats or spiders. You can also make your own reusable decorations from materials like wood or metal.
- LED Lighting: Opt for energy-efficient LED lights if you’re setting up a spooky outdoor scene. They use far less energy and last longer than traditional lights.
3. Green Trick-or-Treating
Sweets are central to Halloween, but the individual wrappers create a lot of waste. To make trick-or-treating more sustainable:
- Plastic-Free Treats: Choose sweets that come in recyclable or compostable packaging.
- Reusable Bags: Instead of plastic buckets or bags, encourage the use of reusable cloth bags or pillowcases for trick-or-treating.
4. Eat your pumpkin, don’t throw it away!
With about 40% of the households in Ireland paying for pumpkins every year – and each household typically ordering 2 pumpkins – discarded pumpkins are a significant part of the waste generated during Halloween.
A quick online search will give you plenty of great recipes of how to eat your pumpkin. Have you tried pumpkin soup, pumpkin hummus, or pumpkin pie? Instead of throwing away the seeds, try roasted pumpkin seeds, or using them in home-made crunchy granola. (And make sure to compost the leftovers)
Conscious Consumerism
Before buying any Halloween items, think about their lifecycle. Ask yourself:
- Can this be reused or repurposed for next year?
- Is this item made from sustainable, eco-friendly materials?
- Is there a local, eco-conscious alternative to what I’m buying?
Making mindful purchasing decisions can help reduce Halloween’s environmental impact and set a positive example for others.
6. Spreading Environmental Awareness
Sustainability isn’t just about personal choices; it’s also about spreading the word. Consider hosting or participating in events that focus on sustainability during Halloween:
- Zero-Waste Halloween Parties: Host a party where guests must come in costumes made from reused materials, and use reusable plates, cups, and utensils.
- Community Clean-Up Events: Organize a post-Halloween cleanup in your neighbourhood to pick up litter, especially sweet wrappers and decorations that may have blown away.
A Greener Halloween for All
By making a few small changes, the environmental impact of Halloween can be significantly reduced . Sustainability doesn’t mean giving up the fun; it simply means celebrating in a way that’s mindful of our planet. This Halloween, let’s scare away waste and embrace a more eco-friendly approach that allows future generations to enjoy the season for years to come!
Let’s make sustainability the real treat this Halloween! Check out a fun Halloween Workbook here to keep little ones busy this mid term here https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2024-10/zero-waste-halloween-worksheet.pdf