The waste at Halloween is frightful!

Have a green halloween text above image of carved pumpkins

As the spooky season creeps in, we’re encouraging everyone to think sustainably when planning Halloween festivities. From costumes to pumpkins, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fright-night fun without frightening the planet.

Dress to impress without the waste

Each year, Halloween costumes generate thousands of tonnes of plastic waste across the UK. Instead of buying new, why not:

Raid your wardrobe: old clothes, bedsheets, and cardboard can be transformed into brilliant DIY costumes.
Swap with friends: organise a costume swap with neighbours or classmates.
Visit local charity shops: many stock Halloween outfits in October.
Rent or borrow: costume hire shops and online platforms offer great alternatives to single-use outfits.

Decorate sustainably

Skip the plastic and get creative:

Reuse decorations from previous years.
Make your own using cardboard, fabric scraps, or natural materials like leaves and twigs.

Treats with a twist

Instead of plastic-wrapped sweets, consider:

Organic or Fairtrade treats in recyclable packaging.
Non-food goodies like pencils, stickers, or seed packets.
Reusable trick-or-treat bags made from old pillowcases or tote bags.