By Bethany Holtz - Outreach Manager
Halloween is a beloved holiday filled with costumes, decorations, and sweet treats. Unfortunately, it's also a time when single-use plastic items can pile up, contributing to environmental pollution. But fear not, there are plenty of creative and fun ways to celebrate Halloween while minimizing your plastic footprint. We’ve put together five plastic-free tips to help you have a spooktacular and eco-friendly Halloween.
DIY Costumes and Makeup: One of the most exciting aspects of Halloween is dressing up in costumes. Instead of buying a plastic-packaged, store-bought costume, consider creating your own DIY costume. Raid your closet and get creative with what you already have. Old bed sheets can become ghost costumes, while cardboard boxes can transform into robots or monsters. If you need makeup, opt for eco-friendly, cruelty-free brands that use minimal packaging, or make your own using natural ingredients like beet juice for fake blood or charcoal for spooky face paint.
Eco-Friendly Decorations: Transforming your home into a haunted house or a pumpkin-filled wonderland is a Halloween tradition. However, many store-bought decorations are made of plastic. Instead, choose eco-friendly options. Decorate with items like paper lanterns, cloth bunting, and reusable LED candles. You can also create decorations from recyclable materials such as cardboard or reclaimed wood. These alternatives not only reduce plastic waste but also add a unique and rustic charm to your Halloween decor. Be sure to skip the fake spider webs as well. These synthetic webs can entangle and endanger birds and other small creatures. Opt for natural decorations like cotton or paper cobwebs to create that eerie ambiance without posing a risk to local wildlife.
Sustainable Treats: When it comes to Halloween treats, the abundance of individually wrapped candies can lead to an alarming amount of plastic waste. Consider these eco-conscious alternatives:
Make your own treats: Bake or prepare homemade goodies like cookies, brownies, or popcorn balls. Package them in reusable containers or paper bags.
Buy in bulk: If you prefer store-bought candy, purchase it in bulk and distribute it in reusable containers or cloth bags instead of single-use plastic wrappers.
Non-food treats: Consider handing out non-food items like stickers, small toys, or pencils that are durable and won't contribute to plastic waste.
Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags: Instead of using plastic pumpkins or disposable plastic bags for trick-or-treating, opt for reusable alternatives. Fabric tote bags, canvas sacks, or even old pillowcases can be decorated or customized for a personal touch. Not only will these bags reduce plastic waste, but they'll also hold more treats and can be used for years to come.
Responsible Pumpkin Disposal: Carving pumpkins is a beloved Halloween tradition, but what do you do with them afterward? Instead of tossing them in the trash where they'll end up in a landfill, consider more eco-friendly options:
Compost: If you have access to composting facilities, turn your pumpkin into nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Wildlife feeding: Cut your pumpkin into pieces and leave it out for local wildlife to enjoy. Squirrels, birds, and other critters will appreciate the treat.
Pumpkin recycling: Some communities offer pumpkin recycling programs. Check if your local waste management accepts pumpkins for composting or recycling.
Halloween can be a spooky and fun holiday without contributing to the plastic waste problem. Let's work together to make the world a little less scary for our planet!