Waste created by Halloween can be truly scary. From single-use plastic decorations, fast fashion costumes and all the plastic wrapped lollies, this spooky season can haunt our environment long after the holiday is over.
Celebrate a more sustainable Halloween and reduce waste with these tricks and treats.
Shop second hand
Local op shops and Facebook Marketplace can be a treasure trove for preloved decorations and costumes. You can find unique items for an affordable price while keeping clothing out of landfill.
Get creative with DIY
Plastic Halloween decorations don't just wreak havoc on our environment, but our wildlife too. Fake cobwebs can entangle native animals, and some birds mistakenly use the cobwebs as nesting material which can potentially harm their chicks.
Try looking at sustainable ways to decorate by creating ghosts and bats out of fabric scraps, garlands from fabric and twigs, or make a luminaire out of an old glass jar. Link up with your neighbours and join forces to decorate your street sustainably.
For costumes, dust off your sewing machine and make your own with old or second hand clothing and fabrics.
Don’t be a party pooper
If you’re throwing a Halloween party, avoid single-use plastic plates, cups and cutlery. Instead swap them out for reusable alternatives.
You can find out more on how to throw a waste-free party in our guide. Or see our resources on how to host a street party to form closer connections with your neighbours.
A fruity twist on jack-o-lanterns
While some pumpkins are in season in Australia for Halloween, they can be trickier to carve than the American alternatives. Put a fruity twist on the classic jack-o-lantern by carving a pineapple or watermelon. Make sure you keep the insides as you’re carving and eat them or create a delicious smoothie. Chop the carved fruit skin and use in your compost or worm farm!
Waste-free trick or treating
Instead of handing out plastic wrapped lollies, consider alternatives such as sweets wrapped in paper or cardboard packaging, or alternatives like coloured pencils, crayons and homemade playdoh.
Gather your neighbours and hit the streets trick or treating but remember to collect your haul in reusable bags or even decorate old pillowcases in a Halloween theme.
Go local
When shopping for lollies, decorations or party items, remember to visit local markets and businesses. By buying your items locally, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and avoiding a lot of unnecessary plastic packaging.
Feeling inspired and ready to embrace a waste-free Halloween? Enter our competition and have the chance to win a voucher. Whether you have DIY’d your own eerily eco-friendly costume, hosted a waste free party, joined forces with your neighbours to decorate your street with sustainably spooky decorations, or something else – we would love to see it. You can enter as an individual, family or group such as a street, group of neighbours, school, childcare centre or community group. Entries close Monday 11 November.