October 21, 2025| Community, Environment
By: Holly Odgers
Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and community fun. But all that festivity can leave behind more than just memories: plastic waste, disposable decorations, and leftover packaging that take a toll on the environment. The good news? With a few mindful swaps and steps, you can celebrate the spooky season sustainably without sacrificing any of the fun.
Here are five ways to make your Halloween greener and more sustainable this year:
Store-bought costumes, while cute, are often made of synthetic materials and wrapped in plastic. They’re typically worn once or twice before heading to the landfill, talk about scary! Instead, get creative and build your own costume using clothes and accessories you already have. Not only is it better for the planet, but you’ll also end up with a one-of-a-kind look that reflects your creativity.
Avoid plastic or Styrofoam decorations that contribute to long-term waste. Instead, decorate with natural and reusable materials—think pumpkins, hay bales, and corn stalks from local farms, or handmade paper ghosts and bats crafted from old magazines or newspapers. It’s a great way to add charm and sustainability to your home. If DIY isn’t your thing, support local artisans who make decorations from natural or recycled materials.
The iconic plastic pumpkin may be cute, but it’s not the most sustainable option. If you already have one, reuse it each year. Otherwise, try a pillowcase (it holds a lot more candy!), a reusable tote bag, or a small basket. These alternatives reduce plastic waste and can be repurposed long after Halloween is over.
Between parties and trick-or-treating, Halloween can generate a surprising amount of trash. Do your part by cleaning up after festivities and encouraging others to do the same. Keeping litter out of storm drains helps protect Lake Hopatcong and our local watershed from pollution.
All those candy bars and snacks come with a hidden trick... non-recyclable wrappers. Most curbside programs can’t process them, but there’s a solution! You can order your own Candy and Snack Wrapper Zero Waste Pouch from TerraCycle. Simply fill it up with any flexible plastic-based candy and snack packaging and wrappers (you’ll be amazed how many fit inside!), seal it, and send it back using the prepaid shipping label. TerraCycle will recycle everything, even the pouch itself! Larger Halloween Treat Wrapper boxes are also available for families or neighborhoods who want to collect together.
With a little creativity and care, Halloween can be both frightfully fun and friendly to the planet. By making sustainable choices, from costumes to candy wrappers, you help keep the magic alive without haunting the environment.
Wishing you a safe, spooky, and sustainable Halloween!
