How to Enjoy a Sustainable Halloween
Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins! October 31st is spooky enough without plastic waste piling up in your trash. Check out our guide for all the tricks (and treats) you need for a green Halloween, including sustainable costume ideas and eco-friendly decorations.
Sustainable Halloween Costume Ideas
A Halloween party’s only as good as your guests’ costumes, but the scariest thing about these outfits is often the amount of waste they create. Retailers generate about 4.4 million pounds of plastic waste from Halloween costumes (Hubbub)—that’s like the weight of 350 elephants or 83 million plastic bottles!
Don’t worry, though! We’ve got some frightfully easy, sustainable costume ideas up our sleeve. Here are ten of our favorite tips and tricks:
- Cardboard Boxes
If you’ve ever moved or ordered something online, you know how quickly cardboard can pile up. But come Halloween, those empty boxes can become robots, Lego bricks, trains, cars, or even Rubik’s Cubes. Just grab some markers and get creative.Pro tip: If you use tape to stick on extra cardboard or paper, remember to remove it before recycling. - Reuse Your Costume
About 40% of Halloween costumes are worn just once (Hubbub). If you’re celebrating with a different crowd next year, there’s no shame in reusing an old favorite! - Organize a Costume Swap
Host a costume swap with your kids’ friends and neighbors. Everyone gets to try something new without spending a fortune or creating extra waste. - Sell Your Costume
Apps like Poshmark and eBay are great for avoiding waste while making a few bucks. If your friends are tired of seeing that same old witch costume, sell it or donate it to a thrift store. - Use Old Sheets and Towels
There’s something charmingly simple about cutting up an old sheet to turn your little ones into cute ghosts. - Shop Secondhand
Thrift stores and secondhand apps are treasure troves for finding unique, sustainable costumes. Plus, they’re easier on your wallet! - Recycle Your Own Clothing
New clothes come with a heavy carbon footprint, with the fashion industry responsible for 10% of global emissions and 20% of wastewater (World Bank). Upcycling old clothes for a Halloween costume is a way more sustainable choice. - Rent a Costume
Halloween outfits usually get worn just once or twice a year, so why not rent instead of buying? Check out local costume rental shops or see if a nearby theater has costumes to lend. - Use Natural Face Paints
A quick online search will show you plenty of non-toxic, natural face paints that are better for the planet than traditional options. - A Green, Post-Halloween Clean
After the party ends and the mess is left behind, clean up with eco-friendly supplies from Modern Milkman for a green Halloween cleanup.
Eco-Friendly Halloween Decorations
Planning on making sustainable decorations? The sky’s the limit! Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Recycle tin cans into spooky lanterns for the yard by adding a candle inside.
- Create a wreath using fallen branches and leaves for a creepy, natural look.
- Make tiny bats from twigs and leaves.
- Cut out pumpkins and other shapes from paper and hang them with string to create garlands.
- Fold paper and cut out spider webs for classic Halloween flair.
- Skip the plastic treat bags and make your own using felt.
More Ways to Have a Green Halloween
Get Sustainably Packaged Treats
Halloween candy is a must, whether or not you get trick-or-treaters. Did you know some treats come without plastic wrappers? Try sustainably packaged sweets for an extra green Halloween.
Shop Local
Picking your own pumpkin is a great way to get into the spooky spirit, reduce food miles, and cut down on transportation emissions.
Use Your Leftover Pumpkin in a Recipe
In the U.S., millions of pumpkins go to waste after Halloween each year. But you don’t have to toss your jack-o’-lantern! Turn leftovers into pumpkin soup, pie, or even a snack by roasting the seeds with a little oil and salt.
Or Compost It!
Your carefully carved jack-o’-lantern doesn’t belong in the trash. Composting fruit and veggie scraps helps nourish your garden while reducing food waste.
Looking for more ways to cut down on waste? Check out our other eco-friendly recipes and tips!