Wanna hear something spooky?
20,000 tons of plastic from Halloween costumes end up in landfills each year [1]. Halloween costumes, makeup, and decorations can contain harmful chemicals, like phthalates, flame-retardants, bisphenols, PFAS, and more. Halloween should be a time for creativity and joy, not worry about what’s lurking in costumes or face paint. Here’s a treat for you: There are plenty of ways to enjoy all the excitement of the holiday while minimizing exposure to potentially harmful substances. Let's explore some practical tips to ensure that the only scares this Halloween come from friendly ghosts and playful goblins, not from hidden chemicals in our festivities.
Sustainable Costume Ideas
Halloween is a time for creativity and fun, but it can also be an opportunity to embrace sustainability. With growing concerns about fast fashion and environmental impact, many are turning to eco-friendly costume ideas that reduce waste and promote reuse. Create memorable costumes that are both spooky and environmentally responsible with these tips.
Reuse Old Costumes
Breathing new life into old costumes is a fantastic way to be sustainable this Halloween. Instead of buying something new, consider how you can transform costumes from previous years into something fresh and exciting. For example, last year's superhero costume could become a zombie superhero with some strategic makeup and tattered additions.
Also, combine elements from different old costumes to create an entirely new character. Adding accessories, changing the color scheme with fabric dye, or incorporating unexpected elements can make an old costume feel brand new.
DIY Costumes from Your Wardrobe
Your closet is a treasure trove of costume potential. By creatively combining everyday clothing items, you can craft unique and sustainable Halloween looks without purchasing anything new.
Start by choosing a character or concept. Then, raid your wardrobe for pieces that fit the theme! A white shirt and black pants can become the base for a variety of costumes, from a mime to a formal vampire.
Accessorize for a successful outing. Other items, like scarves, can become capes or sashes. Plus, jewelry can add the perfect finishing touch to many costumes. These little touches go a long way in bringing the whole ensemble together!
Revamp Unused Clothing
Give new purpose to clothing items that have been languishing in the back of your closet or your children's outgrown garments. Consider dyeing old white shirts for colorful character costumes or cutting and resewing outgrown dresses into fairy or princess outfits.
Even torn or stained clothing can find new life as part of a post-apocalyptic survivor costume! The key is to see the potential in each piece and how it can be transformed with a little imagination and effort.
Costume Exchange Parties
Who doesn’t like getting dressed up with friends? Organize a costume swap event with friends, family, or neighbors.
This communal approach to Halloween preparation not only provides everyone with "new" costumes but also strengthens community bonds and promotes sharing economy principles.
To host a successful swap, ask participants to bring clean, gently used costumes or costume elements. Set up a system for exchanging items fairly, perhaps using tokens or a one-for-one swap rule.
Encourage creativity by having a contest for the best costume created entirely from swapped items. This event can become an annual tradition, fostering sustainability and community spirit.
Craft Your Own Accessories
Handmade accessories can elevate any costume while keeping sustainability in mind. By creating your own props and decorative elements, you can ensure your costume is truly one-of-a-kind while also reducing reliance on mass-produced plastic items.
Explore using recycled materials for your creations. Cardboard boxes can become shields, swords, or robot parts. Old newspapers can be papier-mâchéd into masks or helmets. Natural materials like leaves, twigs, and flowers can add authentic touches to fairy or nature-themed costumes.
Not only does this approach reduce waste, but it also allows for personalization and can be a fun activity to do with family or friends in the lead-up to Halloween.
Non-Toxic Halloween Makeup for Kids and Adults
Get dolled up without caking out toxic makeup. Many conventional Halloween makeup products contain toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or accidentally ingested.
This is particularly concerning for children and pregnant women, whose developing bodies are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of these substances. Children's skin is thinner and more permeable, allowing for greater absorption of chemicals, while pregnant women can potentially pass these harmful chemicals to their developing fetuses [2][3].
Allow you and your children to step into a character with peace of mind. Follow these tips for finding and making non-toxic makeup for Halloween.
Make Your Own Halloween Makeup
First, consider making your own Halloween makeup using natural, food-based ingredients. Blueberry juice can create a vibrant blue hue, while beet juice offers a range of pink to deep red shades. Beet powder makes an excellent natural blush.
Other safe options include cocoa powder for brown tones, turmeric for yellow, and activated charcoal for black. These natural alternatives not only provide vivid colors but also ensure that your Halloween look is free from harmful chemicals.
When possible, use USDA-certified organic ingredients. These are made without the use of pesticides, which makes them safer to use for makeup purposes.
Shop for Low-Tox Halloween Makeup
Time is precious, and making makeup might not be accessible for you. We understand the convenience and appeal of store-bought Halloween makeup, especially for intricate designs or specific color needs.
If you prefer to purchase ready-made products, we recommend checking out Elegant Minerals, courtesy of Wholesale Bulk Minerals. Their website includes Environmental Working Group (EWG) scores for each product, allowing you to make informed choices. Avoid products with an EWG score of 3 or above, as these are considered moderate hazards.
Another option is Klee Naturals, which offers safer alternatives for Halloween makeup. However, stay away from mineral powder products. Inhaling these fine particles can be problematic for respiratory health.
Additionally, we recommend avoiding products containing fragrance. Fragrance oils typically contain phthalates, which are chemicals that can disrupt hormones. Phthalate exposures are dangerous, even in low amounts. So, be sure to read labels carefully to ensure the products are fragrance-free.
Healthy and Eco-Friendly Treats
It takes a village to raise healthy, happy kids! This Halloween, let’s come together to make trick-or-treating not just fun but also healthier and more sustainable. Instead of the usual sugary candies loaded with artificial ingredients, why not choose better alternatives? Here are some delicious options that will keep the spirit of Halloween alive while promoting well-being. Many of these options are available in stores, or you can make them yourself!
Fruit Snacks
Organic fruit snacks or fruit leathers made from real fruit ingredients are a delicious and nutritious alternative to conventional candy. These treats provide natural sweetness along with beneficial vitamins and fiber.
Look for options with minimal added sugars and no artificial preservatives. Many kids enjoy these chewy, fruity snacks just as much as traditional gummy candies, making them an excellent choice for health-conscious households.
Popcorn Packs
Small bags of non-GMO, gluten-free popcorn can be a hit with kids and adults alike. Popcorn is a whole grain that's naturally low in calories and high in fiber.
Consider offering a variety of flavors like lightly salted, cinnamon-sugar, or even savory herb blends. This crunchy snack provides a satisfying alternative to sugary treats and can be a welcome change for trick-or-treaters.
Granola Bars and Trail Mix
Mini-sized granola bars or trail mix packs are nutritious and convenient options for Halloween handouts. These snacks typically contain a mix of whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits, providing a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
Granola bars and trail mix can offer sustained energy, making them a practical choice for kids who will be walking around the neighborhood. Look for varieties with lower sugar content and no artificial additives!
Natural Lollipops
For those who still want to offer a sweet treat, choose lollipops made from natural ingredients and free from artificial flavors and colors. Many brands now offer lollipops sweetened with fruit juices or natural sweeteners like stevia.
These alternatives can satisfy a sweet tooth without the harmful effects of artificial additives. Natural lollipops often come in fun, fruity flavors that appeal to children while giving parents peace of mind about ingredients.
Eco-Friendly Decorations
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, but it doesn't have to be scary for the environment. Get festive by using eco-friendly decorations. These sustainable alternatives reduce waste and offer an opportunity to tap into your creativity.
Let's explore some environmentally conscious ways to deck out your home for Halloween:
- Natural Wreaths: Create spooky wreaths using fallen branches, dried leaves, and pinecones. This not only adds a rustic, autumnal touch to your decor but also makes use of materials that would otherwise be discarded.
- Fabric Ghosts: Use old white sheets or pillowcases to make hanging ghosts. This upcycling project gives new life to textiles that might have been destined for landfills.
- Recycled Tin Can Luminaries: Clean out tin cans, punch holes in them to create Halloween-inspired designs, and use LED candles inside for a haunting glow. This repurposes everyday items into charming, reusable decorations.
- Paper Mache Monsters: Create unique Halloween creatures using recycled paper and paste. This allows for endless creativity while making use of materials that might otherwise be thrown away.
- Origami Bats: Fold black paper into bat shapes and hang them from the ceiling. This simple craft can be a fun activity for the whole family and uses minimal resources.
Remember, small changes in our holiday practices can lead to significant positive impacts on the environment. Let's make this Halloween not just fun and frightful but also friendly to our planet!
Give Pumpkins A Second Life
As the Halloween season comes to an end, millions of pumpkins find their way to landfills each year, contributing to unnecessary waste and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, it's estimated that over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away annually in the United States alone [4].
Thankfully, there are numerous creative and environmentally friendly ways to give these festive gourds a second life. By repurposing your Halloween pumpkins, you can enjoy the festivities while also giving back to nature and your community. Here are some tips to make the most of your pumpkins after the trick-or-treaters have gone home.
Compost Old Pumpkins
One of the most straightforward and beneficial ways to repurpose your pumpkins is by composting them. Chop up your jack-o'-lanterns and add them to your compost pile or bin.
Pumpkins are rich in nutrients and organic matter, making them an excellent addition to any compost. As they break down, they'll enrich your soil, providing valuable nutrients for your garden in the coming spring.
Just know that the seeds could germinate all winter long. You may have some pumpkin volunteers in your garden the following year!
Bury Them
If composting isn't an option for you, consider burying your pumpkin pieces directly in your garden. This method allows the pumpkins to decompose naturally, enriching the soil with nutrients.
Simply cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces and bury them several inches deep in your garden beds or around trees and shrubs. As the pumpkin breaks down, it will improve soil structure and provide nutrients for your plants.
Feed Local Animals
Many people forget that pumpkins are a food source. Therefore, Halloween is a significant time for food waste.
Your leftover pumpkins can be a treat for various animals. Many local farms, animal shelters, and wildlife rehabilitation centers welcome pumpkin donations.
Chickens, horses, and other farm animals often enjoy pumpkins as a nutritious snack. Wildlife, such as deer, squirrels, and birds, can also benefit from pumpkins left in natural areas.
Cook with Uncarved Pumpkins Before They Spoil
Don't let those pumpkins go to waste when they can be transformed into delicious meals! If your pumpkins haven't been carved and are still fresh, use the flesh to make soups, pies, or roasted pumpkin dishes.
Pumpkin puree can be frozen for future use in baking or cooking. Don't forget about the seeds. They can be roasted with a variety of seasonings for a healthy, crunchy snack!
Create Bird Feeders
One’s trash is another’s treasure, especially when it comes to wildlife. Transform your pumpkins into natural bird feeders to support local wildlife through the colder months.
Cut the pumpkin in half horizontally, scoop out any remaining flesh, and fill the bottom half with birdseed. You can hang these pumpkin feeders from tree branches or place them on elevated surfaces in your garden.
This not only provides food for birds but also creates a biodegradable feeder that will naturally decompose over time. It's a wonderful way to observe local bird species and contribute to their well-being as winter approaches!
Have A Healthy Halloween
As we embrace the spirit of Halloween, let’s take this opportunity to celebrate in a way that honors both our creativity and our planet. By choosing eco-friendly practices, we can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the festivities. Each small action contributes to a healthier environment and inspires those around us to join in. So, let’s come together, get creative, and make this Halloween not only fun and festive but also a step toward a more sustainable future!
Resources
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/18/scariest-thing-about-halloween-is-plastic-waste-say-charities
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8780349/
[3] https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2022/05/422776/study-pregnant-women-finds-increasing-chemical-exposure
[4] https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/post-halloween-pumpkin-disposal