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Halloween can be a time to celebrate and have fun. And, with some planning and intention, you can make choices that protect our environment and save you money. Here are some tips from the Environmental Center to help you enjoy Halloween sustainably.   

Costumes: Thrift, rent or make 

Local thrift stores are a great place to find costumes. Thrift stores often bring out items specifically for Halloween, making it even easier to put a costume together for less money. Need inspiration? from Sustainable Buffs! 

You can also find tutorials and ideas online for making a costume. Homemade costumes often use cardboard, clothing you already have or scrap fabric. You can reuse or repurpose materials and avoid spending money on your costume this Halloween.  

If you have a specific costume idea that might be challenging to find at a thrift store or make, check out costume rental services. This allows you to get the exact costume you want without buying it for only one occasion. 

Treats: Consider packaging 

Preparing for trick-or-treaters? Choose candy to hand out that has paper packaging (like Nerds or Pixy Stix) or aluminum foil packaging (like Hershey’s Kisses). Both paper and aluminum foil are recyclable, whereas candies wrapped in plastic are not. While it seems like a slight difference, so much candy is handed out and produced for Halloween that this subtle difference can have a significant impact.   

You could also consider making items like cookies or homemade candy to share this season. There are many opportunities to harvest local food in Boulder, such as through the . You can use those apples to make cider or apple butter cookies! While homemade items may not be suitable for trick-or-treaters, making treats for a party or friend produces the least waste. 

Decorations: Keep it simple 

Instead of fake spider webs and plastic spiders, stick to the classics and put a carved pumpkin. Pumpkins are entirely biodegradable, and it’s fun to carve them with your friends or family. Plus, you can roast the seeds to make a delicious snack and use them for composting after Halloween! 

If you’re shopping for additional decorations, choose better-quality items you can reuse each year. You can also get creative and decorate your house using your own things. Look for ideas online or plan a DIY night with friends. Find an old painting and like this Sustainable Buff! Repurposing old items adds a fun and personal vibe to your space.