Halloween is creeping up, and while we might want the night to be scary, it shouldn’t be frightful for our environment  

Costume swap, not shop 

Why buy new when you can swap? Arrange a costume swap with family or friends, it might not be new, but it could be new to you. Reusing costumes saves money and keeps textiles our of waste. Extra points for DIY outfits made from recycled materials. 

Treats with less trash 

Try to avoid individually wrapped, plastic-heavy treats if you can. Consider homemade goodies (if safe to share) or eco-friendly alternatives like fruit. 

Decorate with nature 

Skip the plastic and go for natural decorations: carved pumpkins, autumn leaves, pine cones, and paper crafts. If you do buy decorations, choose reusable ones you can bring out year after year. Great for the planet and your pocket. 

Recycle right, even on fright night 

Set up clearly labelled bins at your Halloween party for recycling and composting. Remind guests to dispose of wrappers, bottles, and food waste properly. Even witches sort their waste! Do your bit, recycle it. 

Put your pumpkins to good use 

After Halloween, don’t bin your jack-o’-lanterns – compost them or put them i your food waste recycling! Pumpkins are 100 percent biodegradable and great for garden soil. Just remove candles or decorations first.  

You can use pumpkin insides to make savoury dishes like pumpkin soup, hummus, and broth, or sweet treats such as pumpkin bread, muffins, and pie.  The seeds can be roasted for a tasty, healthy snack, too. 

Eco-friendly party planning 

Use reusable plates, cups, and cutlery at your spooky shindig. Avoid single-use plastics and opt for digital invites instead of paper ones. Your party can be both eerie and eco-conscious! 

Spread the word 

Share your sustainable Halloween tips with friends and family. The more people who make these simple eco changes, the less scary our environmental future will be. With a little creativity and care, we can all enjoy a hauntingly good time while keeping the environment at the heart of our celebrations. Let’s make this Halloween a treat for the planet, not a trick! 

To learn more about recycling at home and what can and can’t be recycled, visit the recycling page on the council website.