Confession time, Mamas. We love Halloween. Like, we’re actually a little obsessed with it. It’s a holiday that is particularly fun for parents, as we get to live vicariously through our kids’ excitement.
But you know what we also love? Being eco-friendly.
Unfortunately, those two things sometimes have trouble co-existing. Recent studies have shown that over 2,000 tons of plastic will be dumped into landfills from disposable Halloween costumes alone!
So, what’s a Halloween-loving, eco-conscious Mama to do? Luckily, we’ve done the problem-solving for you. Check out our Cool Mom tips for creating a Halloween celebration with no scary waste.
Reuse Your Pumpkins
Almost every house in your neighborhood will feature at least one jack-o-lantern on its front stoop on Halloween. After all, who doesn’t love the Halloween staple?
While pumpkins are an eco-friendly choice when compared with disposable plastic decorations, they come with their own set of problems. In the U.S. alone, close to 900,000 tons of pumpkin will be thrown away post-Halloween.
Food waste is a huge global problem. The good news? You don’t have to be a part of it! Instead of tossing your used Jack-O-Lantern in the trash, consider finding new ways to repurpose it.
Due to growing demands, many communities have created an annual pumpkin recycling drop-off. Pumpkins are either brought to a composting facility or turned into food for livestock and wildlife. If you have your own compost bin, you can also toss your Halloween pumpkins in there.
A tastier alternative is to turn your pumpkins into dinner! When purchasing your pumpkins, make sure to choose an edible variety. You can roast the seeds and the flesh to be used in a variety of dishes.
Make Your Own Decor
Making your own decorations isn’t just a great way to make your Halloween celebrations more eco-friendly. It’s also a fun way to create memories with your family.
While store-bought decorations can be beautiful, they are also inherently wasteful. If you are someone who likes to switch up your decorations each year, buying new pieces isn’t exactly sustainable.
Instead, consider making decorations out of natural materials. Things like acorns, pumpkins, pinecones, and gourds can all make beautiful autumn decorations for your home.
We also love the look of using pressed leaves or dehydrated citrus and apple slices to make garlands. All of these materials can be composted after use. Your home will be beautiful and eco-friendly!
Organize a Neighborhood Costume Swap
Dressing up in costumes is one of the best parts of Halloween! However, it’s also one of the most wasteful.
As Moms, we want our kids to have the experience of dressing up as their favorite characters. But Halloween costumes can be expensive, especially for an item that only gets used once.
Instead of running to your local Spirit Halloween, we suggest reaching out to your neighbors and creating a Halloween Costume Shop. Families can dig through their dress-up bins and bring costumes that no longer fit their kids. Children can then sort through the various costumes to find a piece that excites them. It’s a solution that’s low on waste and big on smiles!
Shop The Bulk Bins
If you are trying to create an eco-conscious Halloween, chances are you might be confused about how to handle the candy situation. After all, almost all candy comes packaged in non-recyclable materials. This means it all ends up in the landfill, where it will take hundreds of years to decompose.
Luckily, there is an easy solution. Shopping the bulk bins!
Many stores these days offer an option to buy your groceries in bulk. Almost all of them will have some sort of sweet treat available. You can find things like yogurt-covered pretzels, gummy candies, and peanut butter cups, all without wrappers.
Don’t have a grocery store with a bulk bin near you? Try your local candy store!
Creative School Party Solutions
Are you helping to plan your child’s class Halloween celebration? You can still create a fun school party without waste!
Our first tip is to go for homemade treats. Kids will get plenty of candy while trick-or-treating. Why not switch it up by bringing in some homemade cupcakes or cookies? Kids will love it, and it will cut back on waste produced from candy wrapping. Or, if you’re looking to cut back on sugar, treats like these clementine pumpkins are festive and safe for families with all sorts of dietary restrictions.
This is also an excellent opportunity to focus on group activities instead of things like candy. We love the idea of doing a Spooky Storytime with Halloween books. We love Phoebe Wahl’s Little Witch Hazel and Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago.
Games like Ghosts in the Graveyard and Werewolf are activities that will engage kids’ bodies and creativity!
How are you planning to create an eco-friendly Halloween? Share with us in the comments below!