Tips and Tricks for a More Sustainable Halloween
1.The frightful tale of single-use decorations
Americans are projected to spend a mind-blowing $3.8 billion on Halloween decorations alone in 2024 <3>, many of which are single-use and non-biodegradable.
Mass-produced ornaments contain harmful chemicals and plastic, contributing to environmental pollution and health risks when disposed of improperly.<4> Those glittery skeletons, foil lanterns, and sparkly spider webs may look pretty, but they are a nightmare for the planet. When shopping for decorations, choose quality, natural materials that can be composted or reused. Get creative with fallen leaves, branches, and paper rolls to create the spookiest atmosphere.
2. The haunting of costumes waste
Returning to costumes, the largest contributor to Halloween’s carbon footprint comes from these very items. In the U.K., 7 million costumes are thrown away yearly after a single use. A whopping 69% of those are made from polyester and similar materials that often stick around in the environment, leading to microplastic contamination and other pollution issues. <5> An actual zombie outbreak would sound less scary than that, right? The most conscious Halloween outfit is something you already have: dig through your closet, swap with friends and family, or upcycle your dress-up attire to follow the latest trends. This is a win-win for the planet and your wallet.
3. The curse of discarded pumpkins
With food waste in Europe reaching around 88 million tons annually, festive occasions like Halloween contribute significantly to the problem.<6> Only in the U.K., more than 8 million pumpkins, equivalent to about 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkin flesh, head for the bin.<7> But it doesn’t stop there. When improperly disposed of, pumpkins decompose in landfills and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.<8> If you can’t help but buy one – yes, only one – shop locally to support farmers and minimize packaging waste. Use what remains for tasty treats: roasted seeds, soups, and Halloween-themed muffins. After October 31, compost your Jack O’ Lantern and plant the seeds for the following year.
4. Spook-tacular activities for family and friends
Make sure the stories and parties you share with your kids – and even the adults – help them drift off to sleep without nightmares. Host conscious gatherings where your children and friends can create their decorations and costumes using recycled materials. Or, collect carved pumpkins from neighboring families and bring them to central composting locations after October 31 to ensure the spooky season leaves behind memories, not waste.
A sneak peek to our next article
As November approaches, something even scarier than Halloween is around the corner: Black Friday. In our next article, we will dive into one of the most chaotic shopping days of the year. Stay tuned to learn more!
<1>“Halloween spending survey”, National Retail Federation, available at: https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/halloween.
<2>“Scariest thing about Halloween is plastic waste, say charities”, The Guardian, available at: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/18/scariest-thing-about-halloween-is-plastic-waste-say-charities.
<3>“Halloween spending survey”, National Retail Federation, available at: https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/halloween.
<4>“Is ‘fast deco’ the new fast fashion?”, Euronews, available at: https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/06/02/is-fast-deco-the-new-fast-fashion-landfills-are-piled-high-with-cheap-throwaway-home-decor
<5>“Halloween Clothing & Costumes Survey 2019”, Fairyland Trust/ Hubbub, available at: https://www.fairylandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Halloween-Plastics-Clothing-and-Costumes-Report-2019.pdf.
<6>“Food waste: the problem in the EU in numbers”, European Commission, available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20170505STO73528/food-waste-the-problem-in-the-eu-in-numbers-infographic#:~:text=Some%2088%20million%20tonnes%20of,in%20the%20EU%20by%2050%25.
<7>“Pumpkin waste in UK predicted to hit scary heights this Halloween”, The Guardian, available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/23/pumpkin-waste-uk-halloween-lanterns#:~:text=Pumpkin%20waste%20in%20UK%20predicted%20to%20hit%20scary%20heights%20this%20Halloween,-This%20article%20is&text=Britons%20are%20expected%20to%20generate,consumers%20will%20not%20eat%20it.
<8>“Pumpkin pollution is a problem”, National Geographic, available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/pumpkin-pollution-is-a-problem-what-you-can-do.
AUTHOR: Federica Paolucci