5 Tips for a Sustainable Halloween

If you love celebrating the season of ghouls and goblins, you’re not alone. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend $11.6 billion on Halloween costumes, decorations, candy, and greeting cards this year.

This shows you how much adults and children enjoy celebrating the holiday. But this also means there will be a lot of waste. From costumes and candy wrappers to party supplies and decorations, tons of disposed items are likely to end up in landfills come November 1.

Sherry Surrette, associate Extension professor of sustainable living, offers the following tips to help you reduce your Halloween waste:

1. Costumes: Instead of purchasing a new costume from the store, opt for making your own by using clothing and accessories you already have at home. Or visit your local thrift store, and shop for a secondhand costume. You can also swap last year’s costumes with your friends. 
2. Pumpkins: Buy pumpkins from a local farmer and support Mississippi agriculture. Once Halloween is over, be sure to compost your pumpkins instead of throwing them away. Composting pumpkins returns essential nutrients back to the soil.
3. Candy: Reduce plastic waste by purchasing candy packaged in paper. Or give out paper coloring books and pencils instead of candy.
4. Decorations: Recycle empty milk jugs and detergent containers into Halloween decorations instead of buying them from the store.
5. Candy Buckets: Trick-or-treat with candy buckets or bags that can be used year after year. 

If you are interested in incorporating sustainable practices into your lifestyle, check out our information on zero waste and reducing plastic waste.