Trick your neighbourhood but treat the planet - A sustainable Halloween guide

Halloween, with its costumes, decorations, and sweets, is a beloved holiday that often generates a lot of waste. But it doesn't have to be this way! You can enjoy Halloween while being kind to the environment by making some simple, sustainable choices. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate Halloween in an eco-friendly way.

How to stay eco-friendly during Halloween

Eco-Friendly Costumes: Instead of buying new costumes, consider reusing or repurposing old clothing and accessories. Get creative with DIY costumes made from items you already have at home. Or go look for one at a charity shop. We just found costumes for the whole family at a charity shop - it's cheap too!

Natural Decorations: Use natural or biodegradable materials for decorations. Go to the park and see what you can find.

Upcycled Decor: Get crafty by making decorations from recycled materials. Old glass jars, cardboard, and paper can be transformed into spooky decorations.

Low-Impact Lighting: Opt for LED or solar-powered lights for your decorations. They use less energy and last longer than traditional electric lights.

Reduce Sweets Waste: Avoid individually wrapped sweets and choose bulk options to reduce packaging waste. Encourage trick-or-treaters to use reusable bags or containers. Make the children decorate their own container from a hommus container, and use it year after year.

Reduce Plastic: Say no to plastic party decorations and utensils. Instead, go for reusable or biodegradable alternatives.

Sustainable Pumpkins: Choose local, organic pumpkins or grow your own. After Halloween, consider composting them or giving them to wildlife.

Eco-Friendly Parties: If you're hosting a Halloween party, use reusable dishes and utensils, and serve local and seasonal food.

Costume Swaps: Organise costume swaps with friends or in your community. This reduces the demand for new costumes and saves money.

Donate or Recycle: If you have costumes or decorations you no longer need, consider donating them to charity or recycling them.

Educational Activities: Take the opportunity to teach kids about sustainability during Halloween activities. Share the importance of reducing waste and conserving resources.

Carpooling: Encourage carpooling or walking for trick-or-treating to reduce the carbon footprint associated with driving from house to house.

By making these sustainable choices, you can enjoy Halloween while minimising its impact on the environment. It's a great way to have a spooky and fun holiday without harming the planet. Let's make this Halloween a season of sustainable spookiness, full of creativity and care for the Earth!