The amount of waste created during Halloween can be frightening, so follow these top tips to have a more eco-friendly, spooky fun time ...
Stop purchasing a new costume and make one from materials that you already have at home instead. Many shop-bought costumes are often made of non-recyclable plastic and can be worn only once before they are thrown away. Try to reuse it for another year or sell it to someone else if you have to buy new ones.
After Christmas for purchasing decorations, Halloween is the second-largest celebration. Many are made of plastic that is not recyclable and would end up in a landfill. You may visit the woods and forage for natural objects, decorate satsumas to make miniature pumpkins, or use natural candles to create a ghostly atmosphere. Get imaginative and make your own. Make sure you reuse whatever you can, or recycle it.
- The quantity of pumpkin waste thrown away weights the same as 1,500 double-decker buses per year.
- Instead, produce a healthy pumpkin recipe using the inside pulp from your carved artwork. Try the recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds by Jamie Oliver.
- And plenty of packaging, stop buying candy and treats. Could you bake any scary homemade treats?
- Stay local and share your car at Halloween parties and walk around your trick and treat itinerary.
Take a reusable bag or jar to catch any spoils if you are taking your child trick or treating. Keep an extra one on hand to ensure that, if you are exceptionally successful, there is no need for an emergency throwaway piece.
Discard the pumpkin shell in your food waste recycling bin as soon as Halloween is done. For three hours, one recycled pumpkin shell will produce enough electricity to power a TV. Or, for foraging squirrels, you might leave the shell outside.