This Halloween, more than 50% of the UK population plans to make a Halloween purchase, with Generation Z being the most enthusiastic with a whopping 87% planning to spend an average of £46 each [1].
Halloween can be a wasteful time of year. With single wear costumes, sweet wrappers and a constant flow of cheap decorations in the shops, it can be tempting to go throw away. This year let’s embrace sustainability with less consumerism and more DIY!
Join us in celebrating a Green Halloween with eco-friendly costumes, decorations and treats…
Sustainable Costume Ideas
DIY Costumes from Recycled Materials
Why buy when you can create something unique from what you already have? People in the UK throw away approximately 7 million costumes every year. This is the equivalent of 83 million plastic bottles in waste. [2].
An old sheet can become a spooky ghost, old bandages make a creepy mummy or cardboard can be crafted into a futuristic robot. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Scour Second Hand Apps or Charity Shops
Explore your charity shop for second-hand costumes or pieces that can be repurposed. Car boot sales and online marketplaces like vinted or eBay are also great for picking up unwanted, nearly new costumes. It’s a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to find your perfect Halloween look.
Organise a Costume Swap
Organise a costume swap with school friends or neighbours. It’s a fun way to refresh your Halloween wardrobe without buying new items, reducing waste and saving money.
Eco-Friendly Decorations
Make Natural Decorations
Decorate with pumpkins, ivy, leaves and other natural items. After Halloween, don’t toss your pumpkins! Repurpose them into tasty treats. Roast the seeds for a crunchy snack, and use the pumpkin flesh to make soup, pie, or bread. Simply roast the pumpkin, blend it into a puree, and use it in recipes or freeze for later. This way, you can reduce waste and enjoy seasonal flavours that are packed with nutrients and fibre.
Upcycled Decor
Get creative with upcycling! Turn old jars, cans, and bottles into lanterns or candle holders. Paint them in Halloween colours and add spooky designs for. Cut out ghost shapes from white card or bats from black card, attach them to string to make a garland. Use your existing fairy lights and arrange them into a pumpkin shape on the wall. With paints, card and Sellotape, you’ll be shocked at what you can come up with.
Buy Reusable Decorations
Invest in high-quality, reusable decorations that you can enjoy year after year. Avoid single-use plastic items and opt for durable materials like fabric, wood, and metal.
Guilt-Free Treats
Make Homemade Treats
Make your own Halloween treats using organic and locally sourced ingredients. Homemade biscuits, chocolate lollies, and cupcakes are delicious and eco-friendly alternatives to supermarket-bought sweets. It’s also a fun Halloween activity for you and the kids!
Choose Plastic-Free Packaging
If you’re handing out treats, choose plastic-free packaging. Use paper bags, small cardboard boxes, or reusable containers to reduce plastic waste.
Find Fair Trade and Organic Treats
Opt for fair trade and organic sweet treats to support ethical and sustainable practices. Brands such as Divine Chocolate, Tony’s Chocolonely, and Green & Black’s are companies who use ethical practices and delicious high-quality ingredients. Want to know more about fair trade practices and why they are important, check out our blog.
This year, by choosing sustainable costumes, eco-friendly decorations, and home-made treats, you can enjoy a spooky and fun Halloween while protecting our planet.
Happy Green Halloween from Vavista!
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