How To Be Sustainably Spooky

Spirits, spiders and all kinds of creatures of the night come out to play during the month of October. Scariest of all, though, is the amount of waste generated from this season of ghouls and garbage.

According to the National Retail Foundation (NRF), consumers are projected to spend 13 billion on Halloween this year. Most of that is going to costumes and decorations, while the rest goes to candy and other memorabilia. 

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with putting your all into the Halloween season. However, all this money going into single-use costumes, plastic skeletons and non-recyclable candy wrappers takes a toll on the planet. 

Here’s some tips and tricks to stay sustainable during this year’s festivities!

Thrift-or-Treat

In the NRF’s statistics, only 11% of consumers are planning to buy their costumes from thrift stores this year. Compared to the 62% buying one online or at a specialty Halloween store, that’s a lot of processed plastics being produced for a one-time outfit.

So where should you look instead? The graveyards of second-hand stores, of course! Local places like Goodwill or Plato’s Closet might have just the specific jacket or accessory that you’ve been looking for. Still can’t find much? Online secondhand shops like Depop, Poshmark, Mercari and Vinted are always worth a shot too.

As a last resort, buying a corset top on Amazon won’t be the end of the world. Specialty items like that may seem strange to take out again post-Halloween, but you never know! Next time there’s a renaissance fair happening or you decide to throw a princess themed party with your girls, she’ll be there for you. 

Finally, if you’re looking to sew a costume, the Maker Commons in Pattee Library has sewing machines available for student use.

Witch(Craft)

Halloween decorations seem to get more expensive and crazier every year you visit the local Spirit Halloween. It’s the witching hour, you’re scrolling on Pinterest and inspiration has struck. It’s time to get crafty.

Buying craft supplies could go a long way but you can get creative with just the things around you!

An old tube of blood red lipstick and your bathroom is set.

Have some old papers lying around? It’s time to give them a new life (or death) as a ghost garland.

Color in those same papers with a sharpie or pen and cut them into bats!

Those are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless. These decorations can easily be recycled or kept for next year, so you can stay environmentally conscious!

Bone Appetit

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?

While most of us may have grown out of trick-or-treating, candy is still a fun and essential part of the season. As stores usually sell individually wrapped candy for this occasion, it leads to a lot more plastic waste being generated than usual. According to Frost Science, candy and snack wrappers were among the most common found on beaches during the International Coastal Cleanup in 2019. 

Instead of bulk buying from stores this year, you could try making homemade peanut butter cups, bat-shaped gummies and ghost s’mores dips to satiate that sweet tooth. Though it takes a little more time to prepare, these snacks can be healthier than processed sugars. Additionally, putting on your favorite fall tunes and spending an afternoon cooking is the perfect way to de-stress from school life.

Still hungry for more?

Well, those jack-o-lanterns aren’t gonna eat themselves!

Pumpkins used throughout Halloween and Thanksgiving often get wasted, resulting in over 900,000 tonnes of pumpkin being thrown out every year. If you’re not gonna compost them, the flesh from those lanterns can still be used for good. After a chilly night out, a warm bowl of pumpkin soup could be just what you need. Finally, top it off with some roasted pumpkin seeds and you’ve got a delicious Fall meal!

Tag us on Instagram, @VALLEYmag, with pics of your home-made Halloween recipes, decorations and costumes!

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