In the spirit of the upcoming Halloween festivities, residents are reminded that being eco-conscious can be just as important as donning a spooky costume or carving a pumpkin.
From the wrappers on sweets to the costumes themselves, there are many ways to make Halloween celebrations more environmentally friendly.
- Pumpkin Recycling: After the jack-o'-lanterns have cast their eerie glow, you can dispose of them in your food waste bin. Pumpkin scraps can also be a valuable addition to your compost bin, ultimately enriching your garden's soil. Nearly 15 million pumpkins are expected to go uneaten this year, but did you know that you can eat the insides you scoop out before carving? Visit the Love Food, Hate Waste website (external link) for some recipe inspiration!
- Sweets Wrapper: Keep your borough clean this Halloween by disposing of your sweet wrappers in on-street litter bins when you’re out trick-or-treating
- Costume Reuse and Donate: Halloween costumes can be expensive and are often only worn once. Consider reusing or donating costumes you no longer need. Charity shops, community organisations and costume swaps can be great options
- Eco-Friendly Decor: Instead of disposable decorations, opt for reusable, sustainable Halloween decorations. You can find decorations made from recycled materials or create your own DIY eco-friendly decor.
- Mindful Treat Distribution: When handing out treats, consider using eco-friendly packaging and treats with minimal packaging. Encourage your neighbours to do the same
- Halloween Party Greening: If hosting a Halloween party, use reusable tableware and provide clearly labelled recycling bins for guests to dispose of their waste responsibly
- Trick-or-Treat with Reusable Bags: Encourage your trick-or-treaters to use reusable bags or buckets instead of disposable plastic bags
You can also visit our user friendly A-Z list of items that can be recycled and find out how you can increase your recycling at home.
By making small changes in our celebrations, we can reduce the environmental impact of this Halloween.
Remember, every action counts when it comes to preserving our planet. This Halloween, let's make it both fun and environmentally friendly!
