Eco Friendly Halloween
Make it an eco friendly Halloween this year with 10 sustainable ways to get spooky.
The scariest part about Halloween? The waste! Halloween is celebrated around the world but the costumes, treats and decorations are often discarded after a short time.
Can Halloween be Sustainable?
Growing up I always loved Halloween. Living in a small town some of my best memories are of the Halloween trick-or-treating we would do on the back of one of the local farmer’s trucks. About 15-20 kids would be piled onto the back of the truck, holding on for dear life!!
We would visit every house before ending up at the house on top of the hill (which was my parents’ house). It was a potluck-style dinner. The decorations were minimal as we lived in the bush and that was scary enough.
As an adult, I don’t trick or treat anymore. The over-commercialised holiday is now wasteful and mass-produced. So, my question is, can Halloween be sustainable?
Doing some online research, I have found 10 sustainable ways to celebrate All hallows eve, this year.
1. Wax Melts and Candles
There is nothing more festive than smells that remind us of those special occasions, when I think of Halloween, I think of spices, musk, sandalwood, and more deep earthy notes.
Creating a vibe through scent is just as powerful as decorations. Memories are everything!!
2. Reusable Treat Bags
Etsy has some incredible reusable Halloween treat bags and cauldrons. It might be difficult to find sustainable candy, but at least we can do a small part and reuse the bag we carry it in.
3. Reuse, Renew, Upcycle, DIY
Let your inner creativity fly with DIY costumes, decorations, and wreaths, I saw some of the cutest knitted pumpkins!!
4. Natural Decorations
Use natural materials, such as hay bales, tree branches, pumpkins, pinecones and more to create that eery illusion.
5. Reusable Bunting
Bunting is a decorative way to liven up a space and create a bit of colour and flare to any ordinary area. Bunting comes in all styles, from felt, wood, wool, dehydrated fruit, paper and so much more.
6. Say No To Masks
Face painting and clever make-up can replace a store-bought plastic mask. Creating DIY headpieces and accessories to compliment your outfit or look can save money and reduce added waste
7. Moulded Ice Cube Trays
Halloween ice cube moulds can create spooky shapes & can be reused every year.
8. Use Glass Instead Of Plastic
I know that plastic might seem convenient or easier to clean, but is it really that great? Nothing tastes great out of a plastic cup. You should stop hanging out with adults who can’t respect your glasses! Reusable plastic cups for the kiddos are perfectly acceptable.
9. Create A Dishwashing Station
This is a great way for everyone to quickly wash and dry their dishes once they have eaten. Many hands make light work and I feel there will be more than enough hands this Halloween!!
10. Make Your Own Treats
Get creative in the kitchen and bake some sweet treats for kids and adults alike to enjoy. For a healthier alternative try decorating fresh fruit.
What other eco friendly Halloween ideas can you think of?
Making small sustainable changes for typically wasteful traditions and sharing your progress with your community can help make events that we know and love gentler on the planet.
