How to have a more sustainable Halloween

Halloween is a fun and magical party, but it can also be a source of waste. According to the United Nations (UN), each year, approximately 600 million tons of plastic waste in the world. Of this total, a significant portion is made up of disposable products that we use on Halloween, such as costumes, masks, balloons and sweets.

However, with a good plan, it is possible to celebrate Halloween in a more sustainable way. Here are some tips:

Costumes, disguises and masks

Disposable costumes and masks are made from non-biodegradable materials such as plastic and polyester. Instead of buying new costumes and masks every year, choose reusable options, such as old clothing items or cardboard props.

• Use second-hand clothes or old clothes to make your costumes. You can find second-hand clothes in used or vintage stores. If you have old clothes at home, you can use them to create an original and creative costume.
• Use cardboard accessories such as hats, masks and witches' hats. Cardboard is a cheap and easy-to-find material. You can use your creativity to create scary and fun accessories.
• Paint your face or body to create scary makeup. Makeup is a great way to create a costume without having to buy clothes or accessories. You can find Halloween makeup tutorials online or in specialized magazines.

Decorations

Store-bought Halloween decorations are often made from artificial materials such as plastic and foam. Instead of buying new decorations, use natural materials, such as leaves, twigs and fruits, or create your own decorations with recycled materials.

• Use leaves, twigs and fruits to make decorations. You can use leaves and twigs to make floral arrangements, spider webs and other spooky elements. The fruits can also be used to make decorations, such as carved pumpkins, strawberries with thorns, and other spooky fruits.
• Make pumpkin lanterns with real pumpkins. Pumpkin lanterns are a Halloween classic. If you make your own, use a sharp knife to cut the pumpkin and a spoon to remove the seeds and pulp.
• Use candles and LED lights to create a spooky atmosphere. Candles and LED lights are a great way to create a spooky atmosphere for your party. You can use candles to light up your yard or house, or use LED lights to create spooky patterns.

Sweets and treats

Industrialized sweets and treats are usually packaged in plastic, which ends up generating a lot of waste. Instead of buying industrialized sweets and treats, offer homemade options, packaged in compostable or reusable materials.

• Makes cakes, cookies and other homemade treats. Homemade sweets and treats are a great way to save money and reduce waste. You can find recipes for homemade sweets and treats online or in magazines.
• Pack sweets and treats in compostable aluminum foil or cellophane. Compostable aluminum foil and cellophane are made from biodegradable materials. 

Collect the trash

It is important to collect trash produced during a Halloween party. Separate recyclable waste from organic waste and dispose of it correctly.

• Place trash cans around the house or party to make collection easier.
• Separate recyclable waste from organic waste. Recyclable waste includes paper, plastic, metal and glass. Organic waste includes food scraps, leaves and twigs.
• Take the trash to an appropriate place for disposal.