Our thinking

Sustainable Halloween

31 October, 2025

Halloween is here, and while it’s time for creepy costumes, tasty treats, and spooky decorations, it’s also a season that can have serious environmental impacts. But fear not! If you’re scrambling for last-minute ideas, we’ve got you covered with sustainable alternatives that will keep the planet and your Halloween spirit intact. 

So, what’s the issue? In 2024, UK consumers spent an estimated £776 million on Halloween, much of it on plastic, single-use costumes and decorations. A staggering 7 million costumes are discarded every year, many made from non-recyclable, oil-based plastics. Plus, plastic decorations like fake spider webs pose a significant risk to actual wildlife, with birds and small animals becoming entangled, leading to suffocation or injury. On top of that, pumpkin waste is a growing concern. When left to rot, pumpkins release methane and can be harmful to species like hedgehogs. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of buying new costumes, why not try making your own with recycled materials like cardboard or fabric scraps? You can also visit your local charity shop for a unique, second-hand outfit, or consider renting one from a costume shop. 

For decorations, skip the plastic cobwebs and opt for eco-friendly alternatives like homemade fabric webs or use recycled cardboard to create hanging bats. We think GreenCitizen has some particularly effective ideas with spooky trees and mummy jars. 

And when Halloween’s over, make the most of your pumpkin by turning it into a delicious soup or composting it, rather than sending it to landfill or leaving it on your doorstep.

By Charlotte Pounder