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With Halloween right around the corner, everyone seems to be doing one of two things: there are the people desperately searching for unique last minute costumes to wear to Halloween parties, and there are the people scrambling to host those parties. However, within these groups there is another group, one trying to sustainably celebrate this Halloween.
I am a firm believer that throwing or attending a sustainable Halloween party should not involve sacrifice. Sure, you may have to get more creative and do some research in order to make your function more environmentally-conscious, but lucky for you, I have some great tips and tricks (sadly no treats) to get you started.
While I developed this list with the UCSB student in mind, each must-have is likely available near you, though the specific organizations and stores will differ. Whether you live in the Santa Barbara area or not, this list is sure to help even the most sustainability-conscious hosts find ways to make this Halloween one to remember.
1. Pumpkins!
Pumpkins seem like an obvious must-have for a sustainable Halloween party, firstly because they are the number one item associated with Halloween, but secondly because they are made of organic material so, duh, they must have a place on this list.
What many people fail to consider about pumpkins is where they go after the celebration is over. Most people discard whole pumpkins with the rest of their trash, but once those pumpkins make it to landfill, which lacks oxygen, they cannot adequately break down; thus, pumpkins release the greenhouse gas, methane, into the environment.
But you do not need to sacrifice your adorably carved pumpkins. In order to be a sustainable host, you simply need to make everything you can from those pumpkins instead of throwing them out. I’m talking pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, toasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin puree to mix into dog food for added nutrition, and whatever else you can think of.
If you still have pumpkin parts left over after that, Isla Vista Compost Collective would be more than happy to take them off your hands to make compost and organic fertilizer for our community gardens here in Isla Vista.
2. Reusable Halloween Decorations
One of the easiest ways to practice sustainability is to reuse items that you would otherwise be repurchasing regularly, assuming they can be reused. The vast majority of Halloween decorations would certainly fall into this category.
Many Halloween decorations are made of non-biodegradable materials, such as plastics, but by reusing them each year you can limit the amount of plastic that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Plus, it’s fulfilling to make decorations staples in your collection because they will eventually be passed down as heirlooms and become part of a generational tradition, one that you can say you started.
3. Thrifted Halloween Costumes
The same reasoning behind reusing Halloween decorations annually also applies to costumes. While you may not want to be a costume-repeater, there is surely someone else in your area tirelessly searching for the exact costume that is just sitting in your drawer, or worse, sitting in a landfill.
Donating costumes to local centers like Alpha Thrift Store and Goodwill allows the community to be more sustainable as a whole, while also allowing you to save precious money that could be spent elsewhere (think Wingstop, Freebirds, now I’m hungry…), and preventing the environmentally-damaging cycle of fast fashion. Thrifting is literally a win-win-win.
4. Candles
What’s a festive party without good lighting? Candles have been supplying the spooky ambience for multiple millennia, and for good reason — they provide just the right amount of light and they double as a decorative piece.
The only issue with candles is what they’re made of. Most commercially produced candles are made of paraffin wax, a wax derived from petroleum, which is a fossil fuel.
In order to be the most sustainable, memorable host ever, I would recommend purchasing soy or beeswax candles this year. Santa Barbara Apothecary Co. has a bounty of fun scents, many of which are Santa Barbara themed.
5. Guest-Friendly Food Options
You can’t throw a good Halloween party without good food. It’s a fact. However, many hosts tend to overestimate the amount of food they will need, which is fine if it gets eaten after the party, but too often the leftovers are thrown away.
A great way to eliminate food waste is to ask your guests what their dietary preferences are before the party, and especially what they would like to see on the table. You might not know you have vegetarian or vegan guests until you ask.
You might even consider making your party a pot-luck where guests can choose their favorite dishes to bring, and whatever is left goes home with them. This option also allows you, as a host, to spend less time preparing food, and more time enjoying the season.
I hope you take these suggestions into consideration this Spooky Season! Have a scary, safe, and sustainable Halloween!