Landfill pollution from Halloween is scarier than any ghost or goblin.
You can help reduce the frightening amount of waste this season with a few simple habit changes:
1. Don't buy new. Shop secondhand, check your local Buy Nothing group or swap your old costume for a friend's. Use vintage or borrowed materials to create an original costume with a backstory.
2. Upcycle what you already have. No time to thrift? Dig into the bowels of your closet and conceptualize a costume based on what you find. Some of the best ideas require little more than your imagination or a funny meme.
3. DIY spooky decor. Halloween decorations are made of cheap plastic and end up in the landfill. Make your own designs instead using recyclable or biodegradable materials like cardboard, gnarled tree branches, fallen leaves and natural twine.
4. Ethical treats. Most Halloween candy relies on palm oil, single-use packaging and labor abuse. You can find delicious alternatives that don't cause deforestation or rely on child labor. Look for fair trade certification and vetted chocolate brands. Opt for bulk candy at your local refillery or candy sold in compostable or recyclable packaging.
5. Smash, don't trash your pumpkins. Over 1 billion lbs of pumpkin end up in landfills each year, so after your Jack-O-Lantern has deflated to the ground, don't put it in the trash. Compost it or, for even more fun, bring it to a pumpkin smashing event at your local community garden or park.