Halloween is a fun time to celebrate with family, friends and neighbors, but it can also generate a surprising amount of waste. From single-use decorations and costumes to excess candy packaging, small choices can add up quickly. The good news? With a little planning, you can enjoy a festive Halloween while helping to protect the environment and support cleaner air.
Give Costumes a Second Life
Before purchasing a brand-new costume, consider shopping your closet, visiting a thrift store or organizing a costume swap with friends and neighbors. Reusing or repurposing costumes helps reduce waste and gives old items a new purpose. If your family has outgrown costumes from previous years, consider donating them so someone else can enjoy them.
Choose Reusable Decorations
Many Halloween decorations are designed for a single season and end up in the trash. Instead, invest in durable decorations you can use year after year, or create your own from materials you already have at home. Natural decorations such as pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks and leaves can add seasonal charm without creating unnecessary plastic waste.
Make Pumpkins Count
Pumpkin carving is a popular Halloween tradition, but don’t let those pumpkins go to waste after the holiday. Roast the seeds for a healthy snack, compost pumpkin scraps when possible and consider adding leftover pumpkins to backyard compost bins after Halloween. Keeping organic material out of landfills helps reduce methane emissions and supports healthier soils.
Walk, Roll or Bike to Halloween Activities
Whether you’re heading to a trunk-or-treat event, neighborhood gathering or a friend’s house, consider walking, biking or carpooling when possible. Fewer vehicle trips can help reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions while giving families an opportunity to enjoy time together outdoors.
Cut Down on Candy Waste
When handing out treats, look for options with minimal packaging when available. Consider offering non-food items such as pencils, stickers or small reusable toys as alternatives. If you end up with extra candy after Halloween, save it for future events, share it with others or donate unopened treats to local organizations that accept them.
Swap Batteries for Rechargeables
Many Halloween decorations rely on battery-powered lights and sound effects. Using rechargeable batteries can help reduce waste and save money over time. If you use disposable batteries, be sure to recycle them properly when they reach the end of their life.
Turn Off the Scare When the Night Is Over
Halloween displays add plenty of seasonal spirit, but decorative lighting and inflatables can use a significant amount of energy if left running all night. Consider turning decorations off before bed or using timers to help reduce energy consumption.
Small changes can make a big difference. By reusing costumes, choosing sustainable decorations, reducing waste and exploring cleaner transportation options, you can enjoy a memorable Halloween while helping keep the St. Louis region’s air cleaner for everyone.
Happy Halloween from the Clean Air Partnership! 🎃👻🌎
