Five Simple Tips for a Sustainable Halloween Celebration 

As Halloween approaches, many of us are excited about the spooky decorations, creative costumes, and the joy of trick-or-treating. But with all the fun comes a surge in waste—whether it’s plastic candy wrappers, cheap costumes that get thrown out, or even the pollution from extra driving. Here are five easy ways to make your Halloween a little greener this year while still enjoying the festivities. 

1. Sustainable Costumes 

Costumes are one of the highlights of Halloween, but store-bought, single-use outfits often contribute to waste. Instead of buying new, consider: 

DIY Costumes: Get creative by making your own costumes from items you already own. Thrift stores are treasure troves for unique, reusable pieces. Here are some fun, easy ideas: 

• Classic Ghost: An old sheet with cut-out eye holes can be turned into a spooky ghost costume. Add some flair by using fabric dye to give it a colorful twist or accessorize with a hat and sunglasses for a cool “ghost in disguise.” 

• Scarecrow: All you need is a flannel shirt, jeans, and a straw hat. Use face paint to draw on some stitched features and stuff your pockets with hay to complete the look. 

• Mad Scientist: Grab an oversized white button-down shirt, mess up your hair, and carry some household items like a spray bottle or a beaker. Throw on a pair of glasses and you’ll be the quirkiest scientist around. 

Costume Swap: Organize a costume swap with friends, neighbors, or your community. This will help reduce waste and give everyone a new look at no extra cost. 

Upcycling: Use old clothes and materials to design something new. Turn those worn-out jeans and a faded denim jacket into a classic cowgirl or cowboy costume. Add a bandana from your closet, an old belt, a hat, and a pair of boots. You’ll have an upcycled look perfect for Halloween that also breathes new life into old clothes. 

2. Greener Trick-or-Treating 

Halloween often means driving from house to house or to different neighborhoods to maximize candy collection, especially when the weather turns cold. However, there are still eco-friendly alternatives to consider: 

Walk or Bike: If the weather permits, walking or biking while trick-or-treating is a great way to get exercise, reduce your carbon footprint, and explore your community. 

Carpooling: If walking or biking isn’t feasible due to weather or distance, carpooling with neighbors or friends can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road, cutting down on pollution. 

Weather-Friendly Alternatives: For colder regions, consider indoor trick-or-treating options, like visiting assisted living or nursing homes. Residents often enjoy seeing costumes and passing out candy, and these indoor settings can provide warmth and a welcoming environment. 

Rural Trick-or-Treating: If you live in a rural area without many neighbors, consider parking in town and walking around a more populated neighborhood. Alternatively, trunk-or-treat events are popular, allowing children to safely gather treats from decorated cars in a centralized location. 

3. Reducing Candy Waste 

Candy wrappers can contribute significantly to Halloween waste. While completely avoiding them might not be possible, there are ways to reduce the impact: 

Buy in Bulk: Purchase candy in bulk to reduce excess packaging. Opt for recyclable packaging whenever possible. 

Eco-Friendly Candy Options: Some companies offer treats in biodegradable or compostable packaging. Look for sustainable brands to minimize the waste left behind. Some examples include: 

• UNREAL Candy: This company creates lower-sugar versions of popular candies like peanut butter cups and chocolate gems. Its packaging is made from recycled materials, aiming to reduce plastic waste. 

• LÄRABAR: While not a traditional candy, LÄRABAR offers snack bars that are individually wrapped and made from whole, natural ingredients. The company is transitioning to using recyclable wrappers, and its minimalist ingredients list makes the bars a healthier, eco-conscious choice for trick-or-treaters. 

• Homemade Treats: Consider making homemade treats for close friends and neighbors. Fruit or other non-food items can be considered treats, too! Just be sure to use eco-friendly packaging, like paper bags or reusable containers. 
• Seeds: Seed packets with native wildflowers are another great alternative to candy. Save Our Monarchs has special trick-or-treat milkweed seed packets you can give out. Any seed packets with native seeds would work, just be sure seeds are native to your area, as many ‘wildflower’ seed packets are not all native. Buy a bulk native seed mix from a local supplier like Minnesota Native Landscapes and DIY seed packets for trick-or-treaters for a more budget-friendly option.  

4. Pumpkin Disposal 

Carving pumpkins is a beloved Halloween tradition, but many end up in the landfill after the holiday. Instead of tossing your pumpkin, try these sustainable ideas: 

Feed the Wildlife: Many animals love to eat pumpkins! Cut your pumpkin into smaller pieces and place it outside for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife to enjoy (just make sure it’s free of paint or other harmful substances). 

Composting: Pumpkins are rich in nutrients and break down easily in compost. If you have a compost pile, add your pumpkin scraps to it, or look for local composting programs. Or have fun smashing it up, cover it with leaves and it will quickly decompose in a corner of your yard. Clay County has a Take Jack Back program, with drop-off locations around the county from November 1 – 14, because they don’t allow pumpkins in yard waste piles.  

Otter Tail County accepts pumpkins with yard waste at Solid Waste Transfer Stations, or with the Organics Recycling Program. Pope/Douglas Solid Waste recommends residents put pumpkins into Organics Recycling bins as well.   

Pumpkin Recipes: If your pumpkin is still fresh, you can cook the seeds for a tasty snack or use the flesh in soups, pies, and other autumn dishes. 

5. Eco-Friendly Decorations 

Reusable Decorations: Instead of purchasing new plastic decorations each year, invest in high-quality, reusable options, visit your local thrift store, or make your own from natural or recyclable materials. Here are some creative ideas: 

• Thrift Stores: The greenest product is the one that already exists, so skip buying new and head to your local thrift store. Thrift stores get loads of holiday and seasonal items that they put out every year, save some cash and the planet at the same time! 
• Wooden Pumpkins: Invest in wooden pumpkins that you can paint and decorate each year. These durable decorations last much longer than real pumpkins and can be stored easily. You can change the design each season with some fresh paint! 

• Fabric Trick-or-Treat Bags: Instead of disposable plastic bags, make or buy fabric trick-or-treat bags with Halloween designs. These can be reused every year and are sturdier for holding lots of candy. 

• Natural Decorations: Gather items like corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales to create a fall harvest display. Once Halloween is over, these natural elements can be composted or reused in Thanksgiving decor. 

A Greener Halloween for a Brighter Future 

Small changes, like making your costume or walking instead of driving, can have a big impact on the environment. With a little creativity, we believe we can enjoy all the excitement of Halloween while making choices that are better for our planet. 

Let’s make this Halloween not just spooky, but also sustainable! Happy Halloween from West Central Initiative!