Make this spooky season sustainable

How to Have a Zero-Purchase, Eco-Friendly Halloween: Save Money and Resources!
By: Rose Adler-Rephan

Make IT, REUSE IT, SWAP IT

How to Have a Zero-Purchase, Eco-Friendly Halloween: Save Money and Resources!

This Halloween, why not save both money and resources by turning it into a zero-purchase celebration? You can reuse decorations and costumes you already have, or get creative and make new ones using materials around your home!

DIY Costume and Decoration Ideas:

• Cardboard Creations: Transform cardboard boxes into spooky masks, bats, cat ears, or gravestones.
• Potion Bottles: Repurpose glass jars and old wine bottles into eerie potion displays.
• Costume Mash-Ups: Mix and match old costumes or raid your closet for a fresh, creative look.
• Holiday Lights Crossover: Reuse your Christmas lights to add a haunting glow to your Halloween setup.
• Wreath Re-imaginings: Got too many wreaths? Give one a spooky makeover for Halloween.
• Classic DIY: Don’t forget the timeless sheet ghosts or pillowcase trick-or-treat bags!

Not a DIY Enthusiast? No Problem!

If crafting isn’t your thing, consider swapping costumes and decorations with friends. You’ll get a whole new look without buying anything new. If you do want to shop, visit your local thrift store for second-hand finds. Donating your old costumes and decor, while picking up something "new to you," helps reduce waste and gives items a second life.

Tips for a Sustainable Halloween Party:

• Label Your Drinks: Leave out Sharpies for guests to write their names on cups to avoid waste.
• Reuse Decor: Repurpose and reuse your existing Halloween decorations.
• Ditch the Disposables: Use reusable dishes and cutlery to reduce single-use plastic.
• Mindful Treats: Opt for homemade treats or buy in bulk to minimize packaging waste.
• Support Local: Purchase locally made goodies to cut down on your environmental footprint.
• Make It Meaningful: Turn your party into a fundraiser! Have guests bring old costumes or decor to donate, or collect food for a local food shelf. You could even raise money for a nonprofit while having fun.

Check out these sites for more ideas

• 10 Green Halloween Tips
• Sustainable Guide to Halloween
• Green Halloween: How to Have a Sustainable Halloween
• Halloween Costumes Using Basic Item's in Your Closet (1 item, 5 different ways)
• 50 Simple, Last-Minute Halloween Costumes That Don't Require a Trip to the Costume Store
• 90 Cheap, Easy DIY Halloween Decorations To Get Your Ghoul On