The scariest part of Halloween? The waste!

In 2023, Americans are expected to spend $12.2 billion on Halloween for decorations, candy, costumes, pumpkins, and throwing Halloween parties (up from approximately $10.6 billion in 2022) according to the National Retail Federation. That much spending produces a lot of waste!

As we approach Halloween and the holiday season, consider ways to reduce the amount of waste you produce and make the holiday a little less scary.

Here are some simple ways to reduce waste throughout the Halloween season.

Costumes: Reuse clothing pieces in your wardrobe or visit thrift stores and flea markets in your area to make functional and reusable costume parts. Check out Cardinal Closet in Gibbons B17 for a clothing exchange, or swap costumes with friends. 

Decorations: Use an old pillowcase as a trick or treat bag. Old stockings can be turned into spiderwebs. Decorate with natural materials such as gourds and pumpkins instead of plastic decor.

Parties: Opt to reuse decorations from past years rather than buying new ones. Avoid single use cups and utensils during Halloween parties, and try to send electronic invites rather than paper.

Treats: Look for candies and treats with minimal or recyclable packaging. Rather than buying packaged candy, opt to make homemade allergy-safe treats for friends.

Purchase Locally: If you buy a pumpkin, buy from local farms. Toast the pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack, and use the pumpkin to make a pie or muffins. When disposing of the pumpkin, compost it.