Halloween isn’t particularly known for being a sustainable holiday, but we want to change that. Here are six great ways to have both a spooky and sustainable Halloween this year!
1. Save clothes from the landfill by making your own Halloween costume using items you already have or items from a thrift store.
Instead of buying something new, try getting creative with a costume this year! Did you know that the average Canadian throws away 37 kilograms (81 pounds) of clothing each year? Halloween costumes often don’t get re-worn, so this year try making a costume out of clothes you already have or test out your thrifting skills and buy second-hand pieces that can be used for your costume! Here are 56 costume ideas for adults and kids that you can make from clothes you have or from thrifted clothes.
2. Decorate with natural items.
Decorate with real pumpkins, gourds, fallen branches, dried leaves, and cornstalks that can easily break down or be reused. Avoid synthetic plastic spider webs, which create microplastics and can entangle local wildlife.
3. Make some scary crafts using recycled materials.
We already talked about using your empty candy wrappers for some cool crafts, but you can use things in your own recycling bin to make some spooky creations as well. To learn more about how to remake, reuse, and recycle common items, be sure to check out GreenLearning’s Circular Economy Activity. This activity shows you how to make an entirely new product out of recycled materials and keeps waste out of the landfill!
4. Compost your jack-o-lanterns!
So Halloween is over and your jack-o-lantern pumpkin is starting to get a little mushy? Don’t just throw it in the landfill, compost it! Be sure to remove any candles or stickers before putting your pumpkin in the green bin so that it can be fully composted into nutrient rich soil.
5. Use reusable treat collection bags.
Use fabric pillowcases, canvas totes, or sturdy baskets instead of plastic pumpkins and single-use bags.
6. Find the scary phantom energy loads in your home and save energy.
Did you know that even when your devices are not in use, if they are plugged in they could be stealing a little bit of electricity! Are there any devices in your home that you can unplug in between uses? Find out in GreenLearning’s Find the Phantom Load! In this fun activity you can learn how to reduce your energy consumption at home and your carbon footprint. Take photos of your investigation and tag us on social media @GreenLearning, or use the hashtag #HomeEnergyDetective!