Spooky season is finally here — and it’s my favorite time of the year. I love everything about the fall festivities: scary movies, pumpkin patches and the changing leaves. But beneath all the fun lurks a scary truth: Halloween has quickly become haunted by single-use plastics from synthetic costumes to plastic-wrapped wrapped candy bars. But don’t fear! There’s still plenty you can do to enjoy a spooky (and non-toxic) Halloween.
Halloween has increasingly become a holiday of consumption, plastic and single-use products. Spending is expected to reach a record of $13.1 billion this year. Only 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled globally, making our world a graveyard of discarded plastic trash, toys and other items.
These toxic trends aren’t limited to Halloween. Between 2000 and 2019, global plastic production doubled from 234 million to 460 million tons. Items once made from natural, more sustainable materials, such as cotton clothing or ceramic home decor are now made of plastic, an artificially cheap material propped up by subsidies.
Fossil fuel companies and corporations, including fast fashion brands, promote this scary cycle of consumption to keep consumers buying new items each holiday season. While these items may seem inexpensive, they’re often toxic and low quality, forcing consumers to rebuy them again and again, plus carry hidden costs for our health and the environment.
Plastic never breaks down. Instead, it breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces (microplastics and nanoplastics) that have been found inside the human body, including the brain, heart, lungs, sperm and breast milk. These plastic particles are also linked to hormone disruption and other serious health issues.
Halloween is all about imagination and fun — and it’s the perfect time to get creative while keeping things sustainable. With a little effort, you can enjoy the spooky season without letting your costume or decorations turn into single-use waste.
Don’t let it become another toxic, single-use item. Many store-bought costumes made of plastic have been found to contain harmful substances including lead, cadmium and BPA, which are especially dangerous for children. Research also shows that 83% of Halloween costumes use synthetic materials (non-recyclable plastic) and four out of 10 costumes are only worn once.
Try these sustainable costume ideas:
Need inspiration? Check out some of the upcycled costumes from the Pacific Environment team (and their families) below.
Like costumes, plastic Halloween decor can have serious health and environmental impacts. Spider webs, skeletons, jack-o’-lantern buckets, inflatables and light-up decorations are largely made from plastic materials like polypropylene, PVC and polystyrene. PVC often contains phthalates, which are plasticizers that can disrupt hormone balance and increase the risk of reproductive and developmental problems.
If you want to feel festive at home, consider swapping these common store-bought items out for plastic-free options:
When it comes to candy and giveaways, look for items that skip the plastic for trick-or-treaters.
Plastic-free or low-waste ideas include:
For parties, enjoy seasonal and home-made treats instead of plastic wrapped items. Consider options like warm apple cider, caramel apples, popcorn or even baked goods using pumpkins, apples or squash.
While the plastic pollution crisis may give you the creeps, don’t let this information haunt you! Along with making these simple swaps this Halloween, you can take action on this grave situation by calling on world leaders to support a strong Global Plastics Treaty.
Happy Halloween!
