Halloween is great fun for children and adults alike. However, the festivities can lead to a lot of unnecessary waste. Here are some simple ways to have a sustainable Halloween and reduce your carbon footprint!

Make the most of your pumpkin

10 million pumpkins are grown in the UK every year, with 95% being used for carving. However, 60% of people say that they don’t eat their pumpkin, meaning millions of pumpkins are discarded annually, adding to the issue of food waste. Instead of throwing it away, try out some pumpkin recipes! Pumpkins are extremely versatile, and every part is edible (except for the stalk.) The flesh of the pumpkin can be used to make delicious pumpkin soup or curry. The slimy/stringy stuff that you scoop out makes an ideal base for broth and mulled wine. And pumpkin seeds are a great snack and can be sprinkled on top of soups or salad for a nutritional boost. If your pumpkin is starting to look a little worse for wear however, the best thing to do is to add it to your compost pile. Check out our composting guide here.

DIY your costume

Of course, another big part of Halloween is dressing up! The most sustainable option is to reuse any costumes that you already have. Or if you really want to dress up as something new, why not use a bit of creativity and create a DIY costume? You can make a simple bat costume with just an umbrella and some black clothing. Check out our blog post here for some ideas!

Be smart with décor

The first thing you should do is a decoration audit, going through all of the Halloween decorations you already have. This should prevent you from buying too many decorations, or buying things that you already have hidden in a cupboard somewhere. If you need new decorations, avoid plastic single-use décor, and instead opt for decorations which are built to last. This way you will be able to reuse them year after year. Check out some of our top picks below. And if you enjoy being creative, you can also try your hand at making your own decorations.

Avoid single-use party supplies

If you are hosting a Halloween party this year, it’s important to consider the type of supplies you purchase. It can be tempting to buy plastic cups/cutlery and paper plates and then just throw them all away when the party is over. But did you know that 40 billion single use plastic utensils are thrown in the bin every year? This causes significant damage to the environment and wildlife. So instead, opt for washable cutlery, plates and cups which can be used again and again.

Be mindful of your lighting

If you want to decorate with some Halloween lights, the most sustainable option is to choose LED or solar powered lights. LEDs use 90% less energy than traditional lights, and solar powered lights absorb energy from the sun. This will save you money on your energy bill too! Especially as energy costs are on the rise.

We hope that you have found this blog helpful and that you have a truly spooky (and sustainable) Halloween! You can find a range of Halloween products on our website here, including costumes, décor, sweets and more!

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Tags: diy, halloween, halloween2022, sustainability