Halloween is a time for spooky fun, creative costumes, and delicious treats, but it doesn't have to be scary for the environment. With a few thoughtful changes to your Halloween traditions, you can make the holiday more eco-friendly while still enjoying all the thrills and chills.
In this blog post, we'll share eight sustainable ideas to support you in reducing waste, saving energy, and having a greener Halloween 🦇🎃
🎃 DIY Costumes
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Halloween is dressing up, but shop-bought costumes are often made from synthetic materials and end up in landfills after just one use. Consider making your own costumes or organizing costume swaps with friends and family. You'll not only save money but also reduce the demand for new, disposable costumes. Our local library offers a fancy-dress swap service, so check your local one out too! 🧛
🎃 Upcycled Decorations
Get creative with your Halloween decorations by using upcycled materials. Old jars can become spooky lanterns, and cardboard boxes can be transformed into tombstones or eerie haunted house façades. Reusing and repurposing items not only minimizes waste but also encourages creativity. Check out some Halloween Craft Ideas here. 🕸
🎃 Biodegradable Party Supplies
Hosting a Halloween party? Invest in some reusable plates, cutlery and cups - we have a stash of partyware from the IKEA 'Kalas' range that we've used for multiple parties already and will be taking to our local Halloween party this year. They are more sturdy than paper plates, better for the environment and work out much cheaper in the long-run - win win win! 🎉
🎃 Energy-Efficient Lighting
Halloween wouldn't be the same without some spooky lighting, but instead of using traditional incandescent bulbs, switch to energy-efficient LED lights. They use significantly less energy and last longer, reducing your carbon footprint and energy bills. 💡
🎃 Eco-Friendly Treats
When it comes to trick-or-treating, consider handing out organic or locally sourced treats. You can also offer non-food items like small toys, stickers, or even seeds for planting. This helps reduce the excessive packaging and sugar consumption that often accompanies Halloween. Check out our blog on different ways to use pumpkins to make sweet treats too! 🧁
🎃 Sustainable Pumpkin Carving
Carving pumpkins is a beloved Halloween tradition, but instead of tossing the pumpkin guts and seeds, put them to good use. Roast the seeds for a tasty and nutritious snack, and use the pulp to make soups, pies, or compost. We recently picked up an amazing range from one of our top local haunts (see what we did there) - the Pumpkin Patch at the incredible Cotswold Farm Park 🎃
🎃 Reusable Trick-or-Treat Buckets
Replace disposable plastic trick-or-treat bags with reusable containers like cloth bags or metal buckets. These not only reduce waste but can also become cherished keepsakes and can be reused in the years to come. 🦇
🎃 Eco-Friendly Disposal
After the Halloween festivities, make sure to dispose of waste responsibly. Separate recyclables from non-recyclables, compost organic matter, and properly dispose of hazardous materials like batteries or glow sticks at designated recycling centres or waste disposal facilities. Find your local options by heading to the Recycle Now website, which hosts a wealth of information. ♻
Halloween can be a wonderfully spooky holiday without having to haunt the environment. By making these simple changes, you can celebrate Halloween while reducing waste, conserving energy, and promoting sustainability. So, go ahead and have a green and spooktastic Halloween this year! 🎃