Happy HalloGreen!

One of the most widely-celebrated holidays is fast approaching, and while we want you to have a terrifying amount of fun, this year we also want you to take a minute and think about what is lurking in your trash. Let's make sure our celebration doesn’t haunt us as a curse on the environment!

Ghouls, Goblins and Ghosts, Oh My!

Commercial Halloween costumes are made from plastic, and millions of tons of them go to landfills every year. So here’s where creativity saves the day! Take some time to go through your cabinets and closets to adapt something into a costume. Need more? Check out your local secondhand shops, or websites like Amazon Warehouse and eBay. See what magic you can put together! Not feeling inspired? Ask Google for DIY ideas aplenty.

Looking for a ready-made costume? Check out local rental stores, or coordinate a costume swap with friends and family.

Whatever you decide on, plan to reuse, sell, or donate your costume instead of tossing it in the trash bin!

Is That House Haunted?

Halloween decorations are tons of fun, and they can be sustainable, too! Look for decorations that are either reusable or compostable, so they won’t hang around our landfills wondering where the party went.

Consider celebrating the harvest season with natural decor like locally-sourced pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and autumn leaves. Jack-o-Lanterns are always a big hit with the kids…and remember, 'Don’t Trash It, Smash It! On November 5, take Jack to any of the local Pumpkin Smash extravaganzas for proper composting.

Beyond that, use what you’ve got! Household items like brooms, vintage books, tin cans, bottles, and jars make wonderful Halloween decor, especially when complemented with fairy lights. Cardboard shipping boxes along with some paint are perfect for a spooky graveyard. Check out this fantastic collection of upcycled ideas.

Still looking for more? Look for free secondhand items on Facebook Marketplace or your local Free Stuff Facebook group.

Tricks AND Treats

When you trick-or-treat sustainably, you get a trick AND a treat. For our top trick, try decorating an old pillowcase for your trick-or-treat stash. If your kids are young, you might want to put their handprints on the bag. Or, if you want to use a plastic pumpkin, use it as decor before the night itself.

Now on to the treats. Wait, what’s the candy packaged in? Uh oh, it’s packaged in plastic? Look for candies that are wrapped in cardboard or paper, such as Milk Duds®, Nerds®, or Pixie Sticks®. There’s also eco-friendly candy! But if you want to stick with a proven favorite, chocolate, take a look at 2022’s Chocolate Scorecard, which grades companies on sustainability, child labor, and other ethics.

Come On In, Park Your Broom at the Door!

If you’re hosting a Halloween party, remember to avoid single-use. Reusable serveware, tableware napkins and tablecloths are the goal, but if you must, look for compostable single-use. Or try serving finger-food so no utensils are necessary. But before you shop for ingredients, refresh yourself on our grocery-shopping tips!

Are you bewitched or terrified? Leave a comment below, or contact the Environmental Action Committee at environment@lwvchicago.org.