The origins of Halloween date back 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated on October 31 on the eve of their new year. The Celts believed that the dead returned to earth that night, and so they lit bonfires and donned costumes to ward off the ghosts.
Environmental group Hubbub conducted a study into Halloween waste and found that a shocking 83% of Halloween costumes used non-recyclable oil-based plastics which meant they were destined to end up in landfill.To put that into context, that’s around 2000 tonnes of plastic waste or a horrifying 83 million plastic bottles caused by the Halloween festivities. 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.
It’s time to upgrade this Halloween to a more sustainable one . With responsible sweets, and with Halloween candy so good, it’s the year you land a spot on every trick-or-treat’s list of must-visit-twice-or-thrice houses. Or you know, curate a mixed bag of lollies, chews, and chocolates for your annual cheesy horror movie marathon.
SHOP MY FAVORITE HALOWEEN FINDS ON AMAZONG HERE!
COSTUMES
Consider making your costume this year with clothes, props and makeup you already own. I personally don’t feel the need to buy a costume, even thought every year I do dress up and add on makeup, I believe the creativity and uniqueness of a costume always rocks.
Consider borrowing or swap a costume with a friend.
Consider thrifting a costume and give a second chance to one, that might just end up in the landfill and create more trash.
Need some inspiration, here’s some Pinterest finds:
ZERO WASTE HALLOWEEN DECOR, FOOD and More:
Common items like synthetic cobwebs (which often trap birds and other wildlife), plastic skeletons, rubber bats, and other plastic decor are not recyclable. So start being creative without hurting nature. Also Halloween threats and foods made only for Halloween are not usually the healthiest options, so stick with some homemade classics.
Here are some ideas I found on Pinterest:
CANDY
Licorice candy always reminds me of Halloween, so for Licorice fans, this is about to be your favorite mashup of the year. The iconic candy meets the red ruby flavor of strawberry or pomegranate for a treat you’ll keep reaching for or just reach for plain old black licorice for that perfect Halloween treat.
UNREAL uses fair trade ingredients, and they’re working toward better for people and the planet.
Similar with some old favorites, these delicious chocolates have the most amazing ingredients which will give you peace of mind. Dark chocolate coconut bars (Almond Joy), peanut butter cups (Reese’s) or dark chocolate caramel peanut sugar bars (Mars).
Tiny Tony’s for Halloween Milk Caramel Sea Salt Coins & Milk Chocolate Coins
Tony’s Chocolonely was founded with the goal to end forced child labor and enslavement on cocoa farms in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Complete your pirate or leprechaun garb with a pouch of these chocolate coins. Or become known as the best house in the neighborhood by handing out these bite-sized pieces of milk caramel sea salty goodness to trick-or-treaters.
Mini Milk Chocolate & Sea Salt Crispy Wafers
Little Secrets reinvents chocolate classics by using fair trade chocolate and high quality ingredients. There’s no high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors or flavors.
Sea salt and chocolate? They’re better together. These scrumptious chocolate wafers taste just like childhood, only without high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.
YumEarth makes sweets that only contain ingredients that are organic and allergen-friendly. (big pack )
When lollipops with fun flavors like Pomegranate Pucker and Mango Tango get an immune boost, it’s hard to say no. Plus, they’re free from the top 8 allergens and cruelty-free.
YUMEARTH Organic Gummy Bear Snack Packs are Gluten-free and perfect for recreating the soup scene from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, these organic gummy bears are the choice candy for snack time and play time.
KIDS/ADULTS NONTOXIC MAKEUP KITS
We all know that kids should grow happy and healthy, and these days nontoxic makeup kits do exist for kids but also for adults, who still want to create their your Halloween art!
You can find some of these kits here:
Always stay safe in the dark by carrying a flashlight, and Happy Halloween.
Laura
LAURA BRUJ 