Halloween is just around the corner! It’s time to welcome the candy, jack-o’-lanterns, and spooky faces in the late month of October.
However, one dilemma that’s often unaddressed is a Halloween scare every household should be aware of – earth polluting Halloween materials.
" Every year, millions of pumpkins end up in landfills where they contribute to methane pollution" NatGeo. Candy wrappers, averaging around 7 million tons in the U.S., are often non-recyclable and contribute to plastics that make up almost 20% of all municipal solid waste. Based on studies reported by Hubbub, 2,000 tons of plastic waste are generated from “disposable” Halloween costumes in a single year (oh my!)
Fortunately, spooky season can still be celebrated via the following sustainable steps...
Spice It Up
The Fall season should always be celebrated with a little pumpkin spice! Make the most of your carved pumpkins by finding yummy recipes that use “pumpkin guts” – yep, those gooey pumpkin insides we tend to throw away can produce some yummy soup! There are numerous delicious and nutritious pumpkin recipes online you can prepare, enjoy, and also store in a bowl plastic free with our silicone bowl covers for future use and easy reheating. Whether it may be roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pulp butter, pumpkin soup, or an autumn face mask, you and your family can enjoy jack-o’-lanterns in a whole new fashion.
Once Halloween is over, make sure to compost your pumpkins at either a local composting station, pickup service, or backyard compost to reduce emissions from them ending up in landfills.
Trick-or-Treat Alternatives
Plastic-free and candy are two tricky situations, to begin with. One way to combat non-recyclable wrappers is to buy candy in cardboard boxes, such as Junior Mint or Mike & Ike’s. Paper and foil wrapped candies: Starbursts, salt water taffy, chocolate kisses, small peanut butter cups, etc. Check the bulk section and reduce the outer plastic packaging as well.
A healthier alternative? Give away fruit or toothbrushes! Mandarins can offer a no-packaging alternative while also offering a healthy treat to young ones. Colorful Bamboo Toothbrushes can be a fun reminder for trick-or-treaters to take care of their teeth as they collect their sweets.
Decorate Responsibly
Decorating for Halloween can be a fun and sustainable experience by using natural materials and thrifted décor, bringing a cozy, eco-friendly touch to your home. Instead of relying on buying virgin plastic decorations, consider using pumpkins, dried corn stalks, and colorful autumn leaves, which not only capture the essence of fall but also biodegrade naturally. Pinecones, branches, and gourds can also be arranged to create charming centerpieces or porch displays. Incorporating thrifted items adds a unique, vintage vibe to your Halloween setup. You can find old candle holders, glass jars for spooky lanterns, or fabric that can be repurposed into DIY ghost garlands, ensuring your Halloween decorations are both creative and low-impact.
When decorating outside, it’s essential to avoid using fake spider webs, which, while festive, can pose serious risks to wildlife. Birds and small animals can easily become entangled in these synthetic materials, which could lead to injury or death. Instead, opt for reusable indoor-friendly décor, or create natural spider webs with twine or thick cotton rope, keeping both your home festive and wildlife safe. By focusing on sustainable materials and mindful decoration choices, you can celebrate Halloween while respecting our Mother Earth,
Eco-friendly Costumes
One of the best parts of Halloween is dressing up for the night of terror. But did you know? 83% of Halloween costumes are made from non-recyclable, oil-based plastics like polyester, PVC, acrylic, or spandex?! Not only that, but the vast majority of costumes are worn only once- destined to spend hundreds of years polluting our planet. In the US alone, about 35 million Halloween costumes are thrown away each year, which is around 2,000 tons of plastic waste..mindblowing huh?!
Reduce costume waste by searching for cloth-based costumes, creating your own, at-home ensemble, thrifting, renting or trading costumes with friends! Hit up Google or Pinterest for easy DIY inspirations. Don't forget a Cotton Tote Bag or an old pillowcase to enjoy a night of trick-or-treating!
Now you’re ready to enjoy a S-P-O-O-K-Y Halloween but without the plastic waste!
