Besides the chaotic and stressful midterms in October, the parties, costumes, and cold weather are all part of a fall dream. But underneath all the fabulous face paint, Halloween hides a spooky secret– it’s environmental impact. The average college student spends around $50+ on costumes, just for them to be worn once and tossed away. Add up all the plastic candy wrappers and shipping fees, and the environmental wreck gets… scary.
Here’s the good news: you can still have an aesthetic and hex-tra special Halloween without trashing Mother Earth. Here are 5 ways to keep it sustainable, while still keeping it boo-tiful.
1. Rewear, Reuse, Restyle
Before you buy that $60 latex catsuit from Dollskill, check your own closet. That black dress? Cat, vampire, Morticia Addams. A blazer? Men in Black or Elle Woods. That ugly dress you wore once on your mother’s request? Sexy grandma. Trade some past Halloween costumes with your roommates or friends. The best costumes are creative, not bank-breaking.
If you do want something new, hit up the thrift stores. Places like Alpha Thrift Store in downtown Santa Barbara are hidden gems for unique pieces heading to the landfill. Grab a few of your friends and set off on a group costume hunt!
2. DIY
Sometimes you only need a glue gun, time, and some creativity to turn anything into a masterpiece. Try making accessories instead of full costumes: Pokemon ears from wire hangers, dog ears on a headband, or a ghost costume from an old sheet. A good costume can be made from nearly anything in your wardrobe, with a little shopping as needed.
Personally, I think Pinterest and TikTok are great sources for inspo, then raid the clearance section at any craft store, it’s a goldmine for budget-friendly DIYs.
3. Go Green with Your Decor
Inflatable skeletons might be cute, but they guzzle electricity. Instead, go for reusable or homemade décor. Like mason jars with LED candles, using upcycled glass bottles from groceries to use as spooky spider jars or potion props, or string lights in orange tones for an instant spooky vibe. But even carving a pumpkin and letting it biodegrade is a great way to fertilize any plant or tree, while keeping your decorations low-effort and green.
4. Sweet Treats, Without the Spooky Waste
Usually, candy comes wrapped in plastic, but there are better options. Look for brands that offer compostable packaging or fair-trade ingredients. It might be a hassle, but sometimes choosing to go out of our way to go green is a sacrifice for the better. Hosting a Halloween party? Offer snacks in bulk instead of one-use wrappers. These can be anything from popcorn to reusable candy jars, think BIG!
5. Sustainable Skincare (and Spooky) Makeup
Trust me, do NOT buy those Halloween makeup kits being sold for $15 on whatever sketchy website you’re seeing, and instead invest in makeup you will reuse. For my girls who love cosplay or anyone intent on dressing as Red Doja Cat from her iconic music video “Paint the Town Red” on her album Scarlet, get the Athena face paint makeup palette. For around $20 USD, you get a wide selection of face paint that’s easily removable with any form of oil/makeup remover.
While Halloween might be spooky, nothing’s spookier than the environmental impact it has. By taking small steps towards balancing the scale of damage done to Mother Earth, we can continue to spread awareness and practice sustainability. But don’t freak out if you end up ordering a costume and it arrives in a plastic wrapper; just remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle.