Sustainable Warminster: The scary truth about Halloween

A recent study by environmental charity Hubbub (2019) revealed some chilling statistics: In the UK alone, over 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste come from costumes, 83% of which are made from non-recyclable, oil-based plastics and typically binned after one use.

Plastic decorations add to the problem, often ending up in landfills or waterways, where they take decades to break down and leak harmful chemicals and plastics into the environment.

Recycling Halloween costumes and decorations can make a huge difference in reducing waste and pollution. Here are some fun ways to reuse past Halloween products:

-Host a costume swap with friends or community groups. It’s a fun way to refresh your look without buying new.

-Breathe new life into old Halloween costumes by mixing and matching pieces from different outfits to create something unique, or pair costume pieces with your everyday wardrobe. Remember – anything in orange, black and red can represent spookiness!

-Before buying new decorations, see what you already have. Try painting plastic pumpkins with fresh designs, crafting spooky ghosts from fabric scraps or cereal boxes, or transforming last year’s skeleton into a ghoulish ghost. These creative projects aren’t just eco-friendly, they’re perfect for keeping the kids entertained during half-term.

-Many local charity shops accept gently used costumes and decorations, which means you spend less money on new ones and help the circular economy (reusing resources and recycling materials).

This year, ask yourself: can this live another Halloween? Help make the spooky season less frightening for the environment.

By Jennie Gilling and Rebecca Krzyzosiak, Sustainable Warminster members