Goblins, ghouls and waste, oh my! Sustainability is probably the last thing you think about during the spooky season. Halloween is just one day where you dress up and enjoy sweet treats — how can it be that bad? However, Halloween's environmental impact is even scarier than the monster costumes and ghost stories. Although this is good news for mass-producing retailers, widespread participation in Halloween festivities will cause undue harm to the planet. The good news is that we are here to make a change and let you in on how you can take a stance this spooky season!

DIY Costumes

Repurposed, reused or DIY costumes can be one of the easiest ways to mindfully approach Halloween! Most Halloween costumes are made from cheap synthetic materials that can shed microplastics and usually can’t be recycled. Check out your local thrift store to see if they have any Halloween costumes available (they usually do!) Or even get creative and make up your own with whatever clothes/materials you can find! And despite popular belief, you can always wear a past year’s costume again!

Pumpkins

Almost all of us dream about the pumpkin-packed porches as the staple Fall decor to welcome the autumnal season. But every year, millions of pumpkins end up in landfill and uneaten. Pumpkins can be turned into delicious family meals or seasonal Halloween treats. We’re sure that once you try them you’ll never leave a pumpkin uneaten again! From pies to pasta and pastries, we’re sure you can find a tasty way to eat your pumpkin! Once the celebrations are over, if you have no plans to find a pumpkin recipe, please put your decorative pumpkins in a food waste bin, or better yet compost them!

Choose reusable or recyclable decorations

We can all be a bit guilty of trying to throw together some decorations for an event or party last minute, and most of the time this results in purchasing low-quality, plastic decorations. If you’re purchasing new decorations this year, consider buying paper or decorations made of other recyclable materials. Or, invest in party items that you can use year after year such as good-quality lights, fabric bunting, and other decorations that will withstand multiple uses. This can also save you money when you consider cost-per-use compared to disposable decorations, and next year you’ll be one step ahead!

Treats

If you have plans to pass out Halloween treats this year, look for low or no-plastic treats! Things to look for include treats wrapped in recyclable paper, card or foil instead of plastic, or buy loose sweets in bulk and then package-up in bags or other containers to give out. If you decide that it’s just not Halloween without the chocolate, try to support Fair Trade Certified treats. At least you can assure that products were ethically and sustainably produced and harvested.

If you’re throwing a party, or know your neighbors are happy for you to give out unwrapped treats, cookies or cupcakes can be given out packaging-free or in a paper bag. Or you can skip the sweets all together and pass out spooky stickers, temporary tattoos, novelty erasers, the list goes on! Parents will probably be relieved with a break from the sugar and kids can enjoy them longer!

Stay Safe while Trick-or-Treating!

Below we’ve listed some simple safety tips for Halloween night, that are also great reminders for us all!

-Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.

-Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

-Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

-Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

-When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

-Drive extra careful on Halloween. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

-Get rid of any distractions - like your phone - in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

-Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

We hope you found this helpful! We love Halloween and all the festivities as it welcomes Autumn and kicks off the holiday season. Just know, you won't compromise a good time by having a low-waste Halloween this year. In fact, you'll probably feel better knowing you're making eco-friendly choices that prevent waste and protect the environment. Make Halloween a bit less scary this year with these eco-friendly activities! And please stay safe!