5 Ways to Keep Halloween Sustainable

Spooky season has arrived and Halloween is just around the corner! When we think about Halloween, we usually think of candy, cool jack-o-lanterns, costumes, and all the fun stuff that comes along with it. Not to spook you, but although Halloween is one of the most popular holidays, it’s also one of the least environmentally friendly ones. We’re not here to kill the vibes though! To help you celebrate in a more sustainable way this year, we have curated a list of things you can do to make your Halloween more Hallo-green.

1. Pumpkins - purchase local, compost them, and use the insides to make yummy treats!

2. Sustainable Costumes - DIY, thrift it, or reuse!

Sustainable tshirts are always a win! Take your favourite basic tee, such as The Good Tee’s softer than ever the fave & fair unisex tee, wrap some toilet paper around yourself and voila! You have your own DIY mummy costume. 

Thrifting is also another great alternative when looking for a Halloween costume. You can score some amazing vintage pieces for your spooky Halloween look. I know we all have some old accessories from previous Halloween costumes so to reduce your ecological footprint, reuse them! Throw on your batwing tee, a pair of black leggings, and a pair of cat ears or a witch’s hat and boom! An easy and also the comfiest Halloween costume!

3. Halloween Treats - shop ethical with recyclable packaging

One of the best parts about Halloween as a kid is going around the neighbourhood and trick or treating. As an adult with a sweet tooth, eating a few (okay, maybe more than a few) sweets before handing them out for Halloween is a delight. But all these individually wrapped sweets can create a huge plastic waste issue. This year, instead of getting individually wrapped in plastic sweets, try finding ones that come in recyclable packaging. If you want to go a step further, try also getting sweets that are organic and/or vegan! As a Fairtrade company, The Good Tee believes in having ethical working standards. Fairtrade chocolate is priced to give workers a sustainable wage and to make sure they’re not being exploited. A guide has even been created to make it easier for you to shop Fairtrade chocolate brands! All Fairtrade chocolates are ethical so try buying Fairtrade chocolates to give out this Halloween.

 4. Face Paint - make your own natural ones!

Whether you’re drawing on kitty whiskers or some other cool Halloween look, using face paint makes it easy to achieve these looks! It’s easy to just run to the store and buy whatever face paint is available but store bought face paints can actually contain chemicals that are toxic not only for you, but also for the environment once it’s washed off. Don’t let this stop you from creating your awesome looks this Halloween though! Instead of buying face paint from the store, you can try making your own natural face paint at home. Many natural face paint recipes are made from ingredients you probably already have at home which makes it simple for you. Natural face paint is the way to go. It won’t harm the environment and you don’t have to worry about it harming your beautiful skin!

5. Candy Bags or Baskets - opt for reusable!

Whether you’re creating a spooky basket for your boo or just need something to hold candy for trick or treating, try finding something that’s reusable. It’s tempting to get a Halloween themed basket especially since a lot of stores sell them for cheap, but in the long run, it’s better for the environment and your wallet to get a basket or bag that’s reusable. Reusable bags, such as a tote, is a great option since they can be reused again. Get a reusable tote and it can be used year after year for trick or treating. It can also be used throughout the year to carry whatever you want in it. If totes aren’t your thing, you can get a neutral basket for all your goodies. A neutral basket that isn’t themed can be used for other holidays such as Easter or even used as decor.

 

There you have it. The ultimate guide to having a more sustainable Halloween! With a little bit of planning, it’s easier than ever to have a more eco-friendly Halloween that’s still fun.

Leave a comment below if you have your own tips on having a more eco-friendly Halloween. We would love to hear them.