Halloween Waste: Busting Myths and Simple Swaps for an Eco-Friendly Celebration
We were excited to share some spook-tacular tips for an eco-friendly Halloween this year – only to find the internet already brimming with advice on how to go green. In fact, tips for a greener Halloween are nearly as abundant as the mountains of discarded pumpkins come November 1st.
Which led us to question: with the heaps of well-intentioned advice out there on how to green your Halloween, why is it largely being ghosted?
So, today, we're unmasking the chilling truth about Halloween’s eco-problem, why it’s hard to shake the waste, and a few easy swaps that’ll make a monster difference.
The Creepy Truth: Don’t Look Away
To set the scene, here are some hair-raising Halloween waste statistics from recent years in the U.S., Canada and the UK:
- Disposable Costumes: Over 83% of Halloween costumes are worn just one time (!) and then discarded, leading to millions of plastic-based, synthetic costumes flooding landfills every November. A UK study estimated that discarded costumes are equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles in terms of environmental impact, annually.
- Pumpkin Trash: In the US alone, roughly 2 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown annually over 66,000 acres (about 50,000 football fields), with more than half being used only for decoration and ending up in landfills after Halloween. In Canada, of the 25 million pumpkins grown yearly, the fate is the same.
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Way Worse than CO2: In landfill, decomposing pumpkins produce methane—a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. One year of Halloween pumpkin waste could release nearly 108 million pounds of methane gas—the equivalent of burning around 132 million pounds of coal!
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Not so Sweet: North Americans spend around $3.5 billion on over 700 million pounds of candy – and nearly all of it comes wrapped in non-recyclable plastic. That’s a lot of wrappers ending up in landfills!
- No Party for the Planet: A staggering 83% of Halloween party supplies, from paper plates to plastic cups, are single-use items that get thrown out after just one use. All the energy-hungry, light-up Halloween decorations also contribute to unnecessary energy waste.
Despite the awareness, Halloween waste is increasing every year.
So, Why Aren't We Freaked into Action?
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Complexity of Climate Change: Climate science can feel as scary as an 80's horror movie. With terms like “carbon sequestration” and “methane emissions,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless about where to start. Plus, people often wonder if small actions—like recycling candy wrappers or buying thrifted costumes—will make any dent in the larger climate issues. This sense of helplessness can lead to “climate fatalism,” where we feel doomed no matter what we do, making it tempting to stick to our usual habits instead of opting for greener choices.
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Cultural Attachment: Halloween traditions run deep. For many, suggesting a “greener” Halloween sounds like saying goodbye to the holiday’s fun. After all, isn’t Halloween all about the playful magic, candy binges, after-dark shenanigans, and over-the-top decorations? The idea of scaling back on costumes, or making decorations out of corn husks, can feel, uh, dull.
- Lifestyle Motivation: Honestly, who has time? The thought of sourcing sustainable Halloween decor or DIY'ing a costume can feel like a giant pain in the arse another task on an already endless list. Most of us just want Halloween to be an easy, fun escape, not an eco-responsibility project. There’s a common belief that a greener Halloween requires extra effort and lacks the same pizzazz as traditional celebrations.
But, we’re going to debunk some of these bone-chilling myths. Even a few simple tweaks can reduce waste without haunting your fun. Promise.
Spooky Eco-Myths About Halloween - Busted!
Myth #1: “Eco-Friendly Treats? Expect Sad Carrot Sticks and Dusty Raisins”
Let’s put this ghost story to rest. Going green doesn’t mean you have to become the “house-that-shall-not-be-named” on the block (unless, of course, you'd like less visitors next year).
There are tons of eco-friendly candy options that don’t involve making kids cry. For candy, chocolates in mini cardboard boxes (like Smarties) are the best option—available everywhere and guaranteed to avert a mutiny. Bulk-store chocolate balls wrapped in aluminum foil are also a better option than plastic wrapping, but the downside is that teeny-tiny pieces of aluminum aren't really recyclable unless they are all balled together—so try to gather up all those bits of aluminum into one big ball if you dare!
There's also a few other non-candy ideas that we came across and liked. Here's a few (that won't break the bank):
- Full sized canned drinks: canned drinks are easy to recycle, and are a fun twist on traditional treats (as well as a crowd pleaser. And spoiler alert: you don't need to get pop. Bubbly waters, lemonade or iced tea are also a win for the kids, and the environment)
- mini erasers, pencils or other cute gifty thing kids love
- temporary tattoos
Myth #2: “DIY Costumes Are Just for Pinterest Geniuses”
Think DIY costumes mean you’re destined for last-minute sewing meltdowns? Good news! You don’t need to break out the sewing machine to keep your costume green.
Instead, why not shop your closet? Combine that old black dress with a pointy hat, and bam—you’re a witch. Got an old flannel and a bandana? You’re now a cowboy. Bedsheet ghost? Classic! Or hit the thrift store for secondhand gems that can be reimagined into something spooky. It’s less about sewing and more about getting creative with what you already have (and maybe channeling a little lazy genius).
Myth #3: “Eco-Friendly Décor = Dried Leaves and a Sad Gourd”
It’s true, no one’s putting “moldy gourd chic” on their Halloween mood board. But, you don’t need to fill your yard with inflatable ghouls or plastic skeletons to make it festive.
Try getting crafty with mason jars and flickering LED candles, paper bats, or thrifted Halloween finds. Or go with nature's finest - pumpkins, gourds, and cornstalks, which can be composted after the holiday (just don't go overboard! See above ↑ for stats on composting pumpkins). Major bonus points if you draw your pumpkin faces instead of carving them—they’ll last longer, and you can bake them into pies or muffins when Halloween is over. With a little creativity, your place might just become the most hauntingly awesome house on the block.
Myth #4: “That Plastic Pumpkin Bucket Is Halloween Icon #1!”
Those bright orange buckets are cute and iconic, no doubt, but they're actually the worst. Made from hard plastic that doesn’t break down easily, they often get tossed after just a few Halloweens, adding to the growing pile of seasonal plastic waste. Equally bad are the single-use Halloween bags many kids carry, which, after one night of trick-or-treating, often end up in the trash, contributing to the billions of plastic bags already choking landfills.
Think bigger, kids. Grab something you have on hand like an old pillowcase or tote bag and go wild customizing it. Not only do these bags hold way more loot, but they’re also far comfier to carry than hard plastic.
Myth #5: “You Have to Be Perfectly Eco to Make a Difference”
This might be the scariest myth of all. You don’t need to overhaul every Halloween tradition to make a positive impact. Reusing a costume, giving out some eco-friendly candy, or cutting back on single-use plastic decorations are all steps in the right direction.
Every small change adds up, allowing you to enjoy all the spooky fun without terrifying the planet.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃 👻 🕷️
