Halloween is coming up and if you're anything like me, this is one of your favorite holidays! As I've continued to follow the path towards sustainable and eco-friendly living, one of the things that has come to bother me about this holiday, is the amount of trash that is often produced in celebrating it. From candy wrappers to plastic decorations to costumes we never want to wear again, this one holiday can produce a huge amount of unnecessary waste. And while it may not be possible to cut out all single use waste, especially this year with the safety of ourselves or children to keep in mind, I wanted to give you a few ideas to implement into your celebrations this year to at least be more mindful.
Make Your Own Costume
If you don't have a costume from a previous year at home that you are willing to rewear, consider making a costume! This can be as simple or extravagant as you like, and a fun way to get creative. It can also be a fun activity to do with kids and allow them to use their imagination to come up with something totally unique.
Buy A Second Hand Costume
If you'd prefer not to make a costume, consider buying one second hand. Even if thrift stores are not accessible to you at this time, you can always purchase a costume from a site like Poshmark or Ebay. This is a much more sustainable option to buying a new costume, not to mention it saves on packaging waste in most cases as well. Another similar option is trading costumes with a friend. This way, you know exactly where your costume is coming from and don't have to spend any money on it!
Use Natural Decorations
If you're the type of person who holds onto Halloween decorations from previous years, then by all means, use them again! However, if you're not huge into decorating, but still want to get a bit festive, consider using natural decorations instead of buying ones made out of plastic. These could be things like decorative pumpkins, dried corn, flowers or colorful leaves. Fall scented candles are another great way to get into the holiday spirt, just make sure that they are made with a natural wax such as soy, since I recently learned that paraffin is a petroleum oil derivative. My personal favorite candle shop is Lunar Landings, I'm currently obsessed with their "Fall Vibes" scent. Also, if composting your natural decorations is an option for you at the end of the season, that's even better!
Make Treats At Home
This year in particular, plastic-free treats are likely not an option for handing out to treat-or-treaters. However if you are celebrating at home, this is a great opportunity to make some yummy treats for yourself or loved ones, like cakes, cupcakes, candy apples, muffins, or anything else you can think of! As a side note, if you are giving out treats this year, consider being mindful of children with allergies or dietary restrictions by offering candy options without common allergens such as peanut butter or dairy.
Throw a Halloween Zoom Party
While a lot of us would normally be attending Halloween parties, either at nightclubs or friend's houses, that likely isn't an option this year. Another fun option could be getting together for a video call party. Not only is this the safest option for 2020, but can also save you money and from producing extra waste on things such as gas or Uber fees and party supplies like single use cups, plates or food packaging.
While this year may look quite a bit different than past Halloweens, we can still enjoy the holiday and work to be more eco-conscious in the process. So dress up, eat a bunch of sugary treats, and drink with your friends over Zoom or cast some spells under the full moon!
