As a college student, the best part of Halloween is dressing up in a costume. Some people go all out, while others do the bare minimum. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle and want my costume to be recognizable while also not standing out too much. Although dressing up is fun, it can lead to a lot of waste when people purchase cheap costumes that are thrown into the trash after Halloween is over. Ideally, costumes would be created from pre-owned items and nothing would need to be purchased. This year, when you are getting ready for Halloween, try to make a costume out of items in your closet. For some ideas, check out Isabella Ziv’s article this week about last-minute costumes with things you already have in your closet. If you can’t figure out a costume with things you already own, try borrowing items from roommates, friends, or family members. If that doesn’t work out, try thrifting things that can be used for Halloween and beyond. As an absolute last resort, buy new items. Producing clothes uses a lot of resources, so limiting your consumption of goods is ideal.
The next most important part of Halloween is candy. Whether you prefer sweet or sour, chocolate or gummy, most candy for trick or treating comes individually packaged in a way that is impossible to recycle or reuse. A few candies, like Junior Mints, Nerds, Dots, and Milk Duds, come in small paper boxes which can be recycled. Unfortunately, this is a pretty limited list compared to the massive amounts of candy that are available.
If you plan on eating a lot of candy this year or want to collect other people’s wrappers, consider making eco bricks. They are essentially bottles stuffed with non recyclable items, like candy wrappers. These containers can be saved and used to build various structures. There are organizations that specialize in collecting and using eco bricks. The process is slightly more complicated than what I have explained, but a quick online search will give you all of the information needed to become an expert in making eco bricks in time for Halloween.
Another way to consider sustainability while buying Halloween candy is by choosing vegan options. There are many popular candies that also happen to be vegan like Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Sweetarts, Twizzlers, and Dots. Vegan sweets are a double bonus because they are options for people who are lactose intolerant. If you are curious about how a plant based diet is better for the planet, check out my past article “From meatatarian to vegetarian,” or just do a quick online search about the environmental benefits of a plant based diet. Most people will not recognize that these treats are vegan unless they themselves are vegan, but at least you will know you did something that can make a difference.
Lastly, options like pencils or erasers are practical and do not result in extra waste. Although young trick or treaters might not be as excited about receiving these items, their parents will appreciate needing to buy a few less school supplies.
Decorations are another integral part of Halloween celebrations. Avoid buying new items and instead use what you have. Pull out items that were put in storage, revamp old decor, and make new items out of things you already have. When making DIYs, try to create stuff that can last many years or can be disassembled after the season is over. Using natural items, like leaves and sticks, allows the decorations to be composted afterward assuming there is no glue or other synthetic materials attached.
If you are on the other side of the door, as a trick or treater, it is not practical or fun to decline candy based on its environmental impact. That is not something I would expect anyone to do, nor something I would do myself. So, this year, when you are trick or treating, enjoy the treats that you do receive and have fun! Try out a DIY costume or decoration and encourage your friends to do the same. Happy Halloween!
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