A Guide to a Plastic-Free Halloween: Eco-Friendly Tips for Conscious Families

2. Plastic-Free Trick-or-Treating

Candy bags and wrappers are one of the biggest contributors to Halloween waste. While it may be difficult to find completely plastic-free candy, you can take steps to reduce plastic when handing out or collecting treats.

• Hand out non-plastic alternatives: Look for treats packaged in cardboard or paper, such as boxes of raisins, chocolate bars in foil and paper, or homemade cookies (if you’re giving them out to friends and family). You can also give out non-food treats like wooden pencils, crayons, or small books.

• Use reusable treat bags: Instead of using plastic trick-or-treat bags, opt for a reusable cloth bag, pillowcase, or even a basket. Decorate it with your kids to add some Halloween flair!

3. Eco-Friendly Decorations

Skip the plastic spiders and synthetic cobwebs that end up in landfills. Instead, go for natural, reusable, or DIY decorations that bring just as much Halloween spirit without the waste.

• Pumpkins: The classic Halloween pumpkin is 100% biodegradable, making it a perfect plastic-free decoration. Once Halloween is over, you can compost your pumpkin, or turn it into a tasty treat by roasting the seeds or making pumpkin pie.

• DIY Paper Decorations: Make your own Halloween garlands, banners, or paper lanterns out of recycled paper. Get the family involved in cutting out bats, ghosts, or pumpkins from construction paper.

• Nature-inspired décor: Use leaves, twigs, and pinecones to decorate your home. These can easily be composted after Halloween or used again in other seasonal decorations.

4. Spooky Swap and Share

If you want to refresh your Halloween look or décor without buying new plastic items, consider organizing a neighbourhood Halloween swap. This is a fun way to trade costumes and decorations with friends. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and build deeper relationships with like-minded people in your area!

5. Plastic-Free Parties

If you’re hosting a Halloween party, there are plenty of ways to make it plastic-free. Start with reusable tableware—skip the plastic cups, plates, and cutlery in favor of real dishes or compostable alternatives made from bamboo or sugarcane. For drinks, consider making a spooky punch and serving it in glass cups or mason jars.

As for party favors, go for plastic-free goodies like small plants, homemade treats, or reusable items like cloth napkins or beeswax wraps.

A Spooky Yet Sustainable Halloween

Going plastic-free for Halloween doesn’t mean compromising on fun. By making a few mindful swaps and getting creative, you can enjoy all the thrills of the season without contributing to the plastic waste problem. It's another great opportunity to encourage your kids to think about how the choices they make impact their planet.

And don't forget - it doesn't need to be perfect, it just needs to be started. If your kiddo is set on being Captain America and has a very specific costume in mind and no amount of explaining is going to change their mind, that's okay - just try to make your other choices a little more earth-friendly. It's all about the compromise - and from DIY costumes to natural decorations to thoughtful candy choices, every small step helps make Halloween a little greener. Have a hauntingly good time - plastic-free!