SCARE4GOOD this Halloween Season!

Halloween is a sinister season for textile waste. Recent studies found that 12 million pounds of waste is produced by discarded costumes in the US each year. 

Sadly, 83% of these Halloween costumes use non-recyclable oil-based plastics which means they are designed to end up in landfill.  This equals 11,000 tons of plastic waste, enough for a horrifying 415 million plastic bottles, is created by Halloween costumes in the US.

Even more disturbing is the fact that the plastic polymer used in over 63% of these costumes, polyester, can take anywhere between 20-200 years to decompose. Landfills are being filled with discarded costumes every year and the monstrous problem of Halloween waste continues to grow.

SCARE4GOOD this Halloween season.  Here are some simple ways to celebrate the season that don’t harm the planet. 

Costumes

Do It Yourself (DIY): Use items you already own to craft unique costumes for all ages. Old clothes can be transformed into zombie attire, or sheets can become ghostly cloaks.  Do a quick online search for DIY Halloween costumes for inspiration.  You will be amazed at the incredible options others have created.

Swap: Organize or attend costume swap events in your community.  This is a great way to extend the life of children’s costumes that no longer fit and lower the cost of Halloween for community members.

Buy second-hand: Local thrift stores can be a goldmine for costume pieces.

Reuse: Store your costume for future Halloweens or repurpose them for other themed events.

Avoid Polyester Costumes:  If you must buy new costumes, check labels and avoid polyester.

Decorations

DIY: Choose homemade decorations using recyclable or compostable materials.

Choose natural: Use real gourds, corn stalks, and leaves for a festive, but compostable touch. 

Invest in quality: Buy durable decorations that can be reused year after year and look for them secondhand first and foremost. Thrift shops have an abundance of quality seasonal decor.

Avoid single-use plastics: Steer clear of decorations that are designed to be used once and discarded.

Finally, share this information with your friends and family.  Most people are unaware of the horrific waste created over the Halloween season. 

We can all SCARE4GOOD, and have fun this season, without increasing the threat to the health of the climate, planet, and ourselves. Donate below and help us create a world free of textile waste.