How to have a sustainable Halloween
Halloween, for those who celebrate it, can be an exhilarating holiday. It’s a way to dress however you like and of whatever you like. It’s fun, plus it involves candy! Nevertheless, celebrating a holiday can be expensive and not so environmentally friendly or sustainable.
We need to help our planet, so it’s vital to make sustainable choices even during our most ghostly celebrations.Â
- DIY Costume
I bet we all have done this, now with a more impactful reason. Not only is it an opportunity to let creativity thrive, but it can also reduce waste and limit the possibility of you buying a costume and not using it again.Â
- Second-hand Costumes or Swap with friends
For those seeking pre-made costumes, consider thrift shops. They can often have a treasure trove of Halloween attire for you to resurrect on the spooky night. In addition, you can always swap costumes with your friends. Plus, you save money!
- Reuse decorations!
The decor is an important factor in this holiday as it gets the spooky season and the terror vibes going. Nevertheless, it is not necessary that you buy new ones every year. You can reuse them, just make some modifications and you are set. Turn last year’s skeleton into this year’s dead princess. Not only will you be saving money, but also being an eco-hero.Â
- Pumpkins
It is estimated that around 17 million pumpkins are bought every single year, but only 20% are used. This means that nearly every other pumpkin goes to waste. After frightening Jack’s wandering soul, you can utilize the inside of the pumpkin so that it is not food waste and maximize it with a fall pumpkin recipe.Â
- Reduce Candy waste or make your own
Candy, it’s a Halloween essential. To make it more sustainable, look for packages more eco-friendly, or try to make your own trades! From ghosting cookies or spooktacular chocolate treats. Either way, if it’s sweet, you are going to make people happy.
- Reusable Bags
For trick-or-treating, you do not need to have a new brand tote bag or bucket to make the function of recompiling candies. It is what is inside that counts. Besides, put some new spooky elements and you are good to go.Â
Halloween does not have to be a nightmare for the environment; with extra creativity and some conscious choices, you can both minimize waste and maximize Halloween festivities. In the spirit of a sustainable Halloween, let’s be eco-conscious people, and show the world how to do Halloween right!
[1]
“Millions of pumpkins go to waste after each Halloween | Elmbridge Borough Council,” Elmbridge.gov.uk, Oct. 24, 2023. https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/news/2023/millions-pumpkins-go-waste-after-each-halloween#:~:text=Around%2017%20million%20pumpkins%20are,be%20discarded%20as%20food%20waste. (accessed Oct. 27, 2023).
‌[2]
One Tree Planted, “Green Halloween: How to Have a Sustainable Halloween,” One Tree Planted, Oct. 24, 2023. https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/green-halloween (accessed Oct. 27, 2023).