Table of Contents
1. Halloween Costumes
Halloween costumes are without a doubt the number one offender. With up to 90% of costumes being made from plastic and with the vast majority being thrown away each year. Get crafty and repurpose some old clothes into a costume or save your costumes from previous years and trade with friends and family. After all who’d been seen dead in the same outfit twice!
If you’re short on time there are always costume hire shops. Then once you’re done you can return the costume without having added any additional waste to the system
2. Pumpkins
The way we waste our Pumpkins each year makes me feel so “hollow inside”… Get it..? Hollow..?
Anyway… over 8 million pumpkins are thrown out each year at Halloween. Make good use of the hollowed-out left-overs and why not make pumpkin pie or soup. The seeds can be used in so many ways such as roasted and ground to create a delicious crust topping for fish or added to cookies. You can also put the seeds out in the garden for the birds. They will love them!
3. Face Paints
The easiest, most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to create your Halloween look has to be with Face Paints. There are dozens of excellent Tutorials available online. With the right look, you can even get away with pairing your spooky face to your regular clothes, keeping and additional waste to a minimum. Be sure to use Natural, Non-toxic face paints or make-up
4. Treat the Environment to Plastic-Free Trick or Treating
Halloween isn’t Halloween without the customary trek around your neighbourhood, moving from door to door collecting whatever treats you can get your hands on. Typically children are armed with a pumpkin-shaped plastic bucket into which plastic-wrapped sugary treats are collected. Pre Halloween have some family fun getting crafty with some canvas tote bags and cut down on the plastic. Be sure to add the bags to your “save for next year” pile.
5. The Trick is in the Treat
Home-baked goods make the perfect substitute for plastic-wrapped Sugar loaded sweets and yet again its an opportunity to spend some family time ahead of the big night preparing something delicious to hand out. We Wouldn’t suggest roasted pumpkin seeds though. Nice try!
More often than not these days kids just prefer to have the cash. Dust off a stack of loose change, get them to close their eyes and grab a hand full from a bowl. Zero waste!!
6. Throw a Party
What better way to grab Halloween by the Devil Horns and reign in the horror of all that plastic. As the host of the party, you can ensure that everyone gets the Plastic-reducing memo. Just have lots of fun, with games and great food.
Another excuse to get crafty and creative with your decorations. The possibilities are endless with a pair of scissors. Cut up paper to make ghosts and use string for spider webs.
For outdoors make yourself a creepy scarecrow by stuffing some old clothes with paper. You can then reuse this a few days later as your Guy Fawkes on bonfire night
Home-baked treats always delight at Halloween. Great for all friends and family to get involved with and kids love to decorate them
Reusable is always best when it comes to plates and cups. Plastic plates, cups and straws are one of the biggest contributors to the Plastic problem. Treat your guests to some real crockery, glassware and utensils and no one actually ever needs a straw anyway! There are compostable options available too.
Remember Halloween is all about fun with friends and family. Don’t get too bogged down and overwhelmed with reducing your plastic footprint. Just do your best to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Now, who’s ready for their Plastic Free Christmas?