Halloween should be about fun frights, not frightening amounts of plastic.

But the reality? It’s become one of the most plastic-heavy holidays of the year that lasts lifetimes. Between costumes, decorations, sweet wrappers, and pumpkin waste, Halloween leaves a scary single-use footprint.

Last year, Halloween caused more plastic waste in the UK than any other event of the year. (The Times).

This year, let’s make a few intentional swaps that keep the magic of Halloween while cutting down on plastic.

That vampire cape or glittery witch hat might seem harmless, but most cheap costumes are made from polyester, a plastic fabric that sheds microplastics and often ends up in landfill (or in your food, or in your water) after a single wear. Instead of buying new, see what you might have in your wardrobe, swap with friends, or check local charity shops. A DIY costume not only saves plastic, but it’s also a fun activity to do at home with the kids. 

Plastic pumpkins, spiderwebs, and novelty lanterns pile up quickly and most of them aren’t recyclable. Nature does it better: think carved pumpkins, autumn leaves, paper crafts, or decorations you can reuse year after year. A simple swap from plastic to natural or durable materials cuts down on waste and might just look even more magical in your home. Realcraft

Most sweets come in single-use plastic that can’t be easily recycled. While it’s tricky to dodge this completely, you can choose brands experimenting with paper or compostable packaging, or buy in bulk to cut down on excess wrappers. If you’re handing out treats, try small boxed chocolates, fruit, or even non-food alternatives like pencils or seed packets. And how about making some treats yourself? Ghost and pumpkin-shaped biscuits anyone? 🎃

Every year in the UK alone, around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are thrown away uneaten. (The Guardian)

Pumpkins are food, not just decoration, so roast the seeds, make soup, bake pies, or freeze the flesh for later. Your pumpkin deserves a second life before it heads to the compost bin.

Halloween should be about memories, not mountains of waste. By rethinking the small things, from costumes to pumpkins, we can keep the fun alive without adding to the plastic problem. 

This October, let’s choose swaps that last longer than a single night. ♻

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