Sustainability Spotlight - October 2025 - More Treat, Less Trash: An Eco-Friendly Halloween Guide
It’s almost that time of year for costume parties, haunted houses, spooky decor, PSLs, and trick or treating. But what is more frightening than any scary movie you’ll watch this season is the unsettling amount of waste that is generated each Halloween. The National Retail Federation (NRF) has reported that Halloween spending in the U.S. can exceed $13 billion in one year. That spending primarily goes toward cheap costumes that typically end up in landfills after one use, with an estimated 35 million costumes trashed annually. Costumes aren’t the only culprits though. A trip to any big store at this time of year will display plenty of plastic decorations too.
Instead of playing a part in this yearly single-use seasonal extravaganza, try these 5 tips for lowering your impact this Halloween.
Reuse, Recycle, and Repeat Costumes
Before buying a pre-packaged costume, try finding your costume in your own closet, at a thrift store, or even asking a friend. It’s understandable that you may not want to repeat the same costume every year, but that doesn’t mean you need to buy a new one either. Get creative and think about designing your costumes as representations rather than replicas. For instance, if you want to be a pirate, can you use that one white button up shirt, a suit vest, and some rolled up pants that you already have in your closet?
Decorate Wisely
Halloween decorations can contribute a lot of waste, especially if they aren’t reused year after year. Instead of buying items that are trendy or disposable, consider items that are sturdy, timeless, and can be found around the house. Try to avoid decorations that require batteries, are easily broken, and are made up of flimsy plastic. If you purchase decorations, save them for future celebrations. You can also create decorations using old jars, cardboard, and fabric. An old sheet and some newspaper or a balloon can easily be fashioned into a ghost; cleverly cut-out cardboard can be transformed into tombstones for the front yard; and ceramic pumpkins to set outside each year may be more economical than using real ones.
But Don’t Decorate with Pumpkins
Speaking of pumpkins, let’s ditch the desire to carve pumpkins just to throw them out. More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkin are sent to landfills each year, with a large proportion of that coming from jack-o-lanterns. Decomposing pumpkins produce methane gas in landfills, contributing to climate change, and before they ever get to your doorstep or the dump, they use valuable land and water to grow. If you want to carve a pumpkin, consider eating the pieces you carve (like the seeds) and putting the rest in compost when Halloween is over.
Trick or Treat Responsibly
Trick-or-treating can be one of the best parts of Halloween, especially for kids. Instead of driving to another destination, trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood so that you can walk, bike, or scooter from house to house. Since kids are mostly concerned with the candy and not the container, use and decorate household items for them to collect with – an old pillowcase, a basket, a tote bag (we know you have a few of those lying around!) or even a school backpack can work. On the other side, if you’re handing out candy to tricksters, buy in bulk to cut down on plastic waste.
Wicked Good, Waste-Free Party
The best Monster Mash can also be an eco-friendly affair. These ideas can help lower your impact on the earth while not taking away from the boo-tiful bash.
- Send digital invitations
- Use biodegradable dishes, cups, and cutlery
- Provide a recycle bin for glass bottles and aluminum cans
- Make or buy food that’s not individually packaged
- Support Colorado farmers by buying seasonal and locally sourced produce
- Compost your food scraps and any unwanted leftovers after the party
Don’t be scared to start an eco-friendly Halloween tradition this year!
