Halloween is creeping up, and while it’s a time for jack-o’-lanterns, dressing up and creepy fun, it can also be a bit of a monster when it comes to its impact on the environment. From plastic decorations to fast fashion costumes and uneaten pumpkins, the spooky season can leave a scary environmental footprint. But fear not! With a few clever tricks, you can treat yourself to a greener, cleaner Halloween.
Don't dump your pumpkin, eat it!
Each year, over 8 million pumpkins are thrown away over Halloween, the equivalent of 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins going to waste. But pumpkins are delicious and versatile, and far too good to go in the bin.
- Roast the seeds for a delicious crunchy snack. Once scooped out, rinse them to remove any pulp, pat dry and pop them on a baking tray for 35 minutes on a low-medium heat with a dash of oil and seasoning of your choice.
- Chop the flesh up into cubes, add a drizzle of oil and spices of your choice and roast it either as part of a roast dinner or filling for tortillas.
- Make pumpkin soup, pie, muffins, or even pancakes.
After the trick or treating is over, bring any pumpkins back indoors. They can be harmful to wildlife if eaten, especially hedgehogs, which can become sick, lose weight and struggle to survive hibernation.
If you do carve a pumpkin this year, and don’t want to use it for cooking, make sure you throw it into the food waste or compost bin. Pumpkins that end up in landfills emit climate-heating methane as they decompose.
Ditch the fake spider webs
Trigger warning (animal harm/injury)
There is a lot to say for making things look spooky, but did you know that fake spider webs are less of a decoration and more of a real-life horror show? Strands of fake spiderweb stretched across bushes can act as a deadly trap for animals, especially birds (see the Chicago Bird Alliance’s warning here). It can also trap and kill bees, and other insects that are vital to our ecosystem. You might think it would be okay to use this indoors, but fake webs are also known to cause intestinal issues in cats if ingested. Skip this decoration altogether and instead….
Decorate with nature and reusables
Ditch the plastic and go for natural or reusable decorations.
- Get crafty with paper lanterns, cardboard tombstones, or upcycled jars turned into spooky candle holders.
- Collect autumn leaves to make beautiful, colourful, naturally compostable décor. This autumn, leaf colours are especially vibrant, and it’s the perfect time to get collecting.
- Store decorations to reuse next year — it’s a great excuse to start a Halloween box!
Skip the plastic-wrapped, wear-once costumes and get creative!
The scariest thing about Halloween is the plastic waste it generates. Most of the Halloween costumes you can buy are fast fashion items, made out of plastic. In fact, a spine-chilling 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to around 83 million bottles – is generated from throwaway Halloween clothing sold by leading UK retailers every year.
So, ditch the plastic wig and look at what you already own or pick up some preloved items:
- Upcycle old clothes into spooky outfits — think zombie prom queen, mad scientist, or ghostly pirate.
- Raid your wardrobe or swap costumes with friends.
- Hit the local charity shops – they’re treasure troves for unique pieces that can be transformed with a little imagination.
- Need inspiration? Pinterest and TikTok are bursting with DIY costume ideas.
Eco-Friendly Trick-or-Treating
Sweat treats are a must, but the packaging? Not so sweet.
- Choose sweets and chocolates in cardboard packaging or recyclable soft plastic packaging. Soft plastic packaging can be placed in the recycling bins inside supermarkets (and in SUSU B42).
- Buy in bulk to reduce waste.
- Use reusable treat bags — decorate pillowcases, tote bags and baskets while you’re making your costume.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of Halloween and not think about its potential impacts, but with a little creativity and a few eco-friendly tweaks, everyone can enjoy a super spooky Halloween without the spine-chilling side effects.