Our waste goes up during the holiday season. It’s hard to avoid. But if we are conscious and careful, maybe we can cause less waste.
Despite always being sensitive to how much waste I generate, I’ve often given up the fight when it comes to the holidays. That’s why I’ve been digging in to find the best ways to reduce excess waste this Halloween.
Here’s a few ways to reduce that scary Halloween waste:
Rethink What You Give Trick-or-Treaters
Alternatives to single wrap candy: Stickers, small toys, and don’t forget “cash is king.” Parents will appreciate the alternatives to sugary treats.
Why not buy a pack of fun stickers - buy whole sheets and cut them up to avoid the individually wrapped ones.
Buy small items in bulk - bookmarks, rings, beads, dolls, spinners, etc.
Dollar stores and party stores are a great place to find these or get ideas.
Hit the bank and get a roll of quarters or a pack of dollar bills.
Most kids love getting money for their piggy bank.
Make goodie bags filled with coins, crayons, pencils, small coloring or puzzle books.
Candy wrapper recycling is tough but doable.
While your household recycling service can’t take candy wrappers, there is a way to get them recycled. Check out Terracycle’s Candy and Snack Wrappers - Zero Waste Box™
Why buy a Halloween bag, you already have what your kids need to collect candy.
Have them use your reusable shopping bags.
Use plastic shopping bags you get sometimes (hopefully not all the time) and accumulate under the kitchen sink.
Turn them inside out, give your kids some sharpies in different colors, and have them design their own candy bag.
Use an old pillowcase.
They can use permanent or washable markers to design these any way they want.
Compost Your Pumpkin and Buy Eco-friendly Decorations
Don’t waste the pumpkin - food waste is a big contributor to methane, one of our most dangerous greenhouse gasses.
When you carve your pumpkin, save the seeds. They make great snacks.
Roast your pumpkin seeds for a great homemade snack.
Compost your Jack-o-lantern when you’re done with it.
Use the pumpkin meat to make pies.
The meat tends to be stringy so you need to puree it.
Buy good quality decorations that you can use again next year. Look into sustainable materials, like compostable glitter.
According to the US Department of Agriculature, over one billion pounds of pumpkins are harvested in the US every year.
Think Reuse for Your Costume
Costumes are usually cheaply made to be disposable. And they’re often made with synthetic fabrics that contain harmful chemicals.
Buy better quality costumes that can be used again and again.
Store them until next year to use for younger children or donate to a neighbor or thrift store.
Donate them to The Halloween Helpers, a non-profit organization started by a 10-year-old to promote the reuse of costumes.
Pull them out next September and give them away on your neighborhood Facebook Buy Nothing group or Freecycle.
Hit thrift stores to buy used costumes or to get ideas to make your own.
Build a look-alike outfit to play a TV or movies character. This is especially fun for older kids or adult costumes.
With a little creativity you can build a princess or warrior costume for little or no money.
Most kids are aware of the climate crisis. If you tell them you want to get the whole family focused on reducing waste, they will likely get onboard and enjoy inventing their own costume.
Happy Halloween,
The Waste Not Coach
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