(Disclaimer:This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I genuinely believe in) Learn more.
Having lived an eco-friendly lifestyle for quite some time now, I really see how much plastic waste hurts our planet.
Speaking of the majority of my extended family, we celebrate every holiday including Halloween in a ‘green’ way.
Every year, Halloween in the U.S. creates loads of plastic garbage—over 2,000 tons just from costumes! That doesn’t even count the plastic candy wrappers, decorations, and party stuff we toss away.
Therefore, for those who wish to have spooky fun covering in all sorts of costumes, stick around for this Green Halloween guide!
Why Go for a Green Halloween?
Halloween causes tons of harm to the environment. Think about those plastic decorations and fake costumes that end up in landfills.
We buy so many costumes and loads of candy every year, and most of it has single-use plastics.
But hey—making just a few simple changes can help you cut down your carbon footprint while still having a blast! My family found out that going green can actually make Halloween more fun and super memorable!
This is a woodland fairy design, with wings crafted from fabric scraps and fallen leaves. The main outfit is a flowing dress made from upcycled clothing, using organic cotton and linen in earthy green and brown tones. The headpiece is a wreath of twigs, vines, and dried flowers.
Sustainable Halloween Costumes
I remember getting a new, plastic-wrapped costume every year. But it’s easy to waste less if you think differently about your costume!
Instead of buying something new each time, check these eco-friendly options out:
– DIY Costumes from Old Stuff: Get creative! Old clothes, sheets, or cardboard can become unique costumes. Last Halloween, I turned an old bedsheet into a ghost, and it was so popular!
– Costume Swaps: Trade costumes with your friends or family! This keeps things fresh & helps cut down on waste. I’ve had swaps in my neighborhood—they’re always fun & help us connect while caring for the Earth.
Last year my friend Clara, dressed in a creative eco-friendly Halloween costume. She wore a crown made of cardboard and a whimsical outfit adorned with leaves, twigs, and branches, giving them an earthy, woodland fairy appearance.
– Rent or Thrift Your Costume: Before buying new stuff, look at thrift stores or online rentals for cool costumes. Lots of thrift shops have great finds waiting to be made into something spooky.
– Eco-Friendly Makeup: Go for natural face paints that are better for your skin & our environment.
Also read, Sustainable Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids
Eco-Friendly Halloween Decorations
I love decorating for Halloween! It can be fun without being wasteful too. Here’s how to do it sustainably:
– DIY Decorations from Recyclables: Use old cardboard, paper, or glass jars to make spooky crafts like ghosts and lanterns. Last year, I turned some glass jars into creepy candle holders that lit up our porch!
– Natural Decor: Bring nature into your decorations! Pumpkins, hay bales, leaves—these make your home feel festive without adding more trash.
We use real pumpkins on our porch every year & compost them afterward.
– Upcycle Old Decorations: Don’t throw away last year’s decorations! With a bit of paint or glue, you can create something new & exciting.
Zero-Waste Halloween Parties
Throwing a party? No worries—you can keep it eco-friendly while having fun!
– Digital Invitations: Skip paper invites—go for e-invites instead! They’re quick & don’t waste anything. Read more about Different Eco-friendly Invitations Options here.
– Reusable Party Supplies: Use sturdy tableware instead of disposable stuff. I always grab cloth napkins and reusable plates when hosting—it looks nice & cuts down on waste. Here is the complete guide for sustainable party supplies.
– Sustainable Party Favors: Pick eco-friendly favors like reusable bags or wooden toys. One time, I handed out mini succulents as party gifts everyone loved!
Also, read my post on Eco-friendly Party Favors for Kids Party.
– Creative Games: Fun games like bobbing for apples or a costume contest are awesome—& they don’t create waste! Also, read a detailed post on Eco-friendly game ideas for Kids & Adults.
– Food & Drinks: Try organic and local foods when you can! Serve food in bulk to cut down on packaging junk; also remember to compost leftovers!
Sustainable Candy and Treat Ideas
Trick-or-treating is such a fun tradition—but all those candy wrappers really add up! Here’s how to make it greener:
– Eco-Friendly Candy Options: Look for treats wrapped in recyclable packaging or get candy in bulk to cut down on trash. Some brands like Alter Eco even offer chocolate wrapped in compostable materials!
– Non-Candy Treats: Think about giving out fun alternatives like wooden pencils or little packets of seeds. In my neighborhood, I hand out small eco toys or crafts—and kids love getting something different!
– Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags: You should replace plastic bags! Use cloth totes or bags you can reuse for collecting goodies. Last year I made my own tote bags from old fabric scraps—they turned out cute.
Also Read, How to Organise Plastic-free Kids Birthday Party.
Eco-Friendly Pumpkin Carving & Composting
You can’t have Halloween without pumpkins—but did ya know you can make the most of them sustainably?
– Get Local Pumpkins: Buy pumpkins from farmers’ markets to help reduce carbon footprints.
– Use Every Part of Your Pumpkin: Don’t let anything go to waste! Roast seeds for snacks & use the flesh for pies or soups. My family loves making roasted pumpkin seeds—they’re such a yummy treat.
– Compost Your Pumpkins After When Halloween’s over, compost instead of tossing them out!
Read more about, my detailed guide on Apartment Composting and Backyard Composting.
They break down easily & make great compost for gardens—my balcony vegetable garden thrives on all the nutrient-rich compost we create from our pumpkins each fall.
Get Your Community Involved
Making an eco-friendly Halloween isn’t just something you have to do alone! You can involve your community too:
– Host a Costume Swap: Set up a costume swap in your neighborhood—it’s perfect for bringing people together while being kind to our planet.
– Encourage Green Trick-or-Treating: Share your ideas with neighbors about trick-or-treating sustainably!
In our area, we started a Green Halloween challenge where families are encouraged to decorate sustainably & select eco-friendly candy options.
– Spread the Word Online: Use social media to share your green ideas for Halloween! Create challenges or use cool hashtags like #GreenHalloween or #EcoFriendlyHalloween so more folks get inspired to join in on this movement!
Let’s enjoy this Halloween not only for its fun and festivities but also in an eco-friendly manner.
Things like doing up your own costumes and decorations or having zero-waste parties mean that you will still very much take part in all the scary activities with zero environmental impact. So, which green Halloween tip will you try this year?
