A greener Halloween: embrace sustainability this haunting season

By Linda Frederiksen, Composter Recycler Class of 2025 

Halloween is coming…and it generates a truly frightening amount of waste. Halloween has evolved from a small recognition of changing seasons to a global consumer event. With stores beginning to sell costumes, decorations, and candy long before summer ends, it can be startling to imagine that Halloween was once simply a day to acknowledge the transition from summer to autumn. In the years following World War II, trick or treating, haunted houses, yard decoration, pumpkin carving, parties, and costumes have all been added to individual's and retailer's calendars.

According to the National Retail Federation, this year 73% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween.

Consumer spending on Halloween is expected to reach new heights this year, 2025 spending is projected to set a record of $13.1 billion. Of that, $4.3 billion will be spent on costumes, $4.2 billion on decorations, and $3.9 billion on candy. It's a juggernaut for retailers, starting off the holiday consumption season with a big bang.

Unfortunately, a large amount of Halloween items were manufactured with difficult-to-recycle materials which will end up in landfills. It's scary - 83% of mass-produced Halloween costumes are made from petroleum-based materials and 35 million of them will be tossed after only one use. These plastic products are cheap to consume but are disastrous to the planet. Waste from Halloween haunts landfills for hundreds of years, discarded candy wrappers and haunted house decor like plastic gravestones and blow-up ghosts have long-term ghastly impacts on the planet.

There is a better way.

With a little thought and planning, Halloween can be less frightening for our communities. It is possible to both enjoy the season and do our part to end the disposable culture. 

Some tips for reducing waste this year include:

Costumes

• Skip the mall and big box stores to shop family and friends' closets instead. 
• Check out charity and vintage stores for reusable costumes before buying new. 
• Mend, reuse, or repurpose costumes from previous years. 
• Get crafty and create something unique by using recyclable materials like paper or cardboard.

Pumpkins

• Although carved pumpkins rot quickly, especially if the weather stays warm through October, uncarved pumpkins can remain edible for months. The seeds can be roasted for snacking, and the flesh can be made into a rich nutrient puree for pets or other seasonal fall recipes.
• Before composting be sure to remove all glitter, paint, candles and other decorations.
• Compost pumpkins at the curb using Organics and Yard Debris bins (except in Camas and Washougal), or drop off pumpkins for curbside composting utilizing the We Compost Community Hub program.
• Learn more about sustainable pumpkin disposal. 

Trick-or-treat goodies

Consider substituting non-edible treats, such as school supplies like pencils or personal care products like toothbrushes. 

Decorations 

• Save from year to year.
• Check out garage and estate sales for previously owned items before buying anything new.
• Donate no longer wanted decorations.
• Despite the marketing, do you (or your child) need a new trick-or-treat bag every year? Would a reusable bucket, pillowcase, or reusable grocery bag work just as well?
• Is there a way to recreate something sold in stores or online with reused or recyclable materials?

Celebrate responsibly - make 2025 the year to break free of terrifying rates of wasteful consumption and make this Halloween green.