Halloween often generates lots of waste, which can be scary for sustainably-minded people. All those decorations, tricks, treats, and costumes contribute to the worsening landfill problem, exacerbated by the excessive consumerism linked to this fall festivity. But there are ways to celebrate this spooky holiday through some sustainable touches that will help you reduce waste, be mindful of your expenditure, and help save the planet at the same time.
Surprise your family this year with a green Halloween theme and enjoy the day more mindfully. Here are seven sustainable Halloween tips you can adopt and inspire your loved ones to follow suit.
Thrift Costumes or Swap With Friends
Fortunately, Halloween costumes stay in style, unlike fast fashion. Nobody will judge you if you wear last year’s attire or don outfits with holes in them so you look like a beggar. Instead of spending money on something new every year, head to the nearest thrift shop to hunt for spooky outfits to dress up in for your Halloween party. Will you be the evil witch wearing a pointed hat or your favorite Disney protagonist?
Thrift stores are a treasure trove of vintage and new materials you can mix and match to pull off a character you’d like to portray. If the budget is tight, another option is to swap old costumes with friends. Exchanging outfits is a lot of fun and may encourage you to dress up as something you never imagined.
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Reuse Décor
Buying new holiday décor every year can be tempting when stores put out a new collection. However, the most sustainable décor is what you already own or can make from natural things around you. Avoid replacing your decorations every year and make use of what you already own. When you do buy something new, invest in high-quality products. For example, silk flowers will be more durable and more sustainable than artificial flowers bought from a dollar store, so you can use them for years.
You can even repurpose items to make them better suited for Halloween. For example, maybe you have faux flowers left over from a wedding or another event. Paint them black or orange to make them spookier.
Use Natural and Nontoxic Makeup
What character inspires your upcoming All Hallows Eve look? Is it Freddy Krueger or Harley Quinn? Your face art is the first thing people notice in your Halloween get-up. If you want to make a spooktacular impression and stand out from the rest, go all out with your face paint.
Use natural and nontoxic makeup brands free of fragrances, synthetic dyes, and preservatives that irritate your skin after hours of wearing it. Look for green certifications or the Leaping Bunny logo when buying eco-friendly cosmetics.
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Cook With In-Season Ingredients
Celebrate the spooky month by going green in your kitchen. Prepare nutritious and delicious recipes made of local and in-season ingredients to make your devilish meals eco-friendly. Doing so supports the livelihood of local farmers and helps them develop their farmlands.
Image: Midwest Living
Additionally, local fruits and vegetables have a lower carbon footprint since they don’t have to be transported over several miles, making them better for the planet.
Prepare Homemade Goodies for Trick-or-Treat
The spookiest thing about this season is the amount of plastic traditional trick-or-treating generates each year. Americans buy over 300,000 tons of candy for Halloween. These non-biodegradable wrappers end up in the oceans, polluting marine life, disrupting ecosystems, and causing flood risk.
Be more environmentally friendly by skipping the candy. Offer toys or trinkets as treats instead, which kids will treasure longer than sweets. Another option is homemade goodies. Instead of buying prepackaged cookies or cupcakes from the grocery store, whip up your own using organic and healthy ingredients. Then, wrap them in compostable paper or reusable packaging to reduce plastic use. This small contribution can significantly curb holiday waste.
Also Read: Best Sustainable Holiday Gifts for an Eco-Friendly Christmas
Make the Yard Shine With LEDs
You want to decorate your home with colorful lights that draw attention. Rather than using incandescent bulbs, switch to eco-friendly LEDs that are more energy-efficient. Even if you leave them on overnight, they won’t rack up your power bill.
Colorful string or spike lights can add a cozy and creepy appeal to your yard. Drape them over trees or string them across your patio – there are several ways to make your home shine while creating a warm and spooky glow.
Recycle Waste
Halloween is a great time to enjoy the company of your loved ones, but don’t forget about the impact of your activities on the environment. After the celebrations, collect all your trash and separate recyclables from things that must be thrown away.
Store decorations and costumes that you can reuse next year. Repurpose plastic items and compost or bury your pumpkins. Enjoy the remaining few months of the year more responsibly by toning down your household garbage.
Make Your Halloween Eco-Friendly
Halloween generates tons of trash, but you can celebrate the spooky season in a more eco-friendly way. Reduce your waste and reuse and recycle materials. Tweak your traditions to make them kinder to the planet so this time of year is a bit less scary.