Before you toss out that old sweater, chipped mug, or stack of books, pause for a moment and ask yourself… could it be reused? At Big Reuse's Reuse Center and thrift store, treasures are always waiting to be re-discovered. Every item saved from the landfill finds a new home and a new story, and together these choices add up to a greener and healthier city. Reusing items is not just good for the planet, it is also a way to save money and spark creativity. With Halloween around the corner, secondhand finds can bring character to your home and your celebrations - whether you’re looking for DIY Halloween looks, cheap ideas for hosting a Halloween party, or a recycled Halloween costume.
Reuse in Action: Everyday Items for Halloween
Halloween does not have to mean buying brand new décor or costumes. With a little imagination, everyday items can take on a spooky second life.
Here are some simple and sustainable ideas to get you started:
- Old mirrors can become haunted mirrors by adding fake cracks or ghostly images behind the glass.
- Mason jars or baby food jars make great potion bottles or lanterns when filled with colored water, candles, or even gummy “specimens.”
- Broken picture frames can be painted black or orange and turned into eerie wall art.
- Curtains or sheets can be ripped into strips to create haunted drapes, ghostly figures, or DIY cobwebs.
- Stuffed animals or dolls that have seen better days can be given a creepy twist with a little paint or fabric.
- Milk jugs can be cut into glowing ghosts with faces and a candle or light inside.
- Wooden boards or old pallets can be painted as tombstones or signs for a haunted yard.
- A simple scarf can be part of a witch’s outfit, while a large bowl becomes perfect for candy or a festive Halloween punch.
- Even books can join in the fun. Stack them up as eerie décor, or give a favorite horror story to a friend who loves a good scare.
How Big Reuse Breaks the Cycle
Through reuse, every item gains new meaning. It is not about throwing things away but about keeping them in circulation and giving them purpose again, lessening environmental impact. At its Reuse Center and thrift store in Brooklyn, Big Reuse looks to educate people on the value of reuse, provide access to low cost items, and divert materials from landfills.
Beyond saving goods, our work includes caring for street trees, which create cleaner air, cooler blocks, and more welcoming spaces for everyone, and supporting composting access and education across NYC. Just as a reused item transforms, trees and compost transform our city block by block, enriching soils and adding life, shade, and beauty where it is needed most.
Want To Take Your Impact Further This Season?
You can volunteer at our Reuse Center, with our street tree care team, or with our composting team and be part of the movement HERE, or donate to Big Reuse to help keep reuse alive in New York City.
Blog Post written by NYSERDA Fellow Tatiana Guerra