Halloween, a holiday centered around horror, terror, and thrill. While many honor these themes throughout the month of October by watching scary movies and braving haunted houses, there is often one aspect that is overlooked that is equally terrifying; the environmental impact of this holiday.
Halloween is celebrated primarily in North America and Europe, causing a demand for millions of new costumes every year. While some people may re-wear costumes or upcycle clothing to make costumes, most people demand a new one which is understandable. Pop culture is quickly adapting; there is always a new reference to dress up as, and some costumes can be overdone or outdated. However, there are also societal pressures, perhaps exacerbated by social media, to have something shiny and new every year.
There is a stigma driven by overconsumption mindsets that the principle of “re-wearing” clothing, or costumes in this sense, has a negative connotation. Due to this unfortunate societal norm, there are an estimated 30 million Halloween costumes thrown away each year in the US, according to a study conducted by Hubbub Environmental Group.
Moreover, the textiles used in many of the pre-packaged, store-bought costumes are very costly to the environment. In a sample of such Halloween costumes, it is found that 83% of the ingredients listed are some form of plastic. Plastic is bad for the environment in a multitude of ways, let alone may be irritating to your skin.
The formation of plastics requires the use of fossil fuels which are non-renewable resources that require invasive extraction from the earth. When the oil is refined into plastic, the process emits a great amount of toxic chemicals. The environmental impact does not end there, though. Once the costume is discarded, it is either stored in a landfill or burned. In a landfill, the plastic will take hundreds of years to decompose, filling up landfills and leaving trace microplastics.
Microplastics can disrupt ecosystems, be harmful to the health of wild animals, and have even been found in the human bloodstream. These small fragments of plastic due to the overuse of plastic in our world are carcinogenic. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), microplastics, “can act as a medium for environmental toxic substances, which are absorbed into the body and cause various diseases of the endocrine system and reproductive system.” While these are just a few of the biological harms of plastic, we are still learning more about the long-lasting effects of plastic on our environment
For these reasons above, it is crucial that we begin to think about the environmental costs of our holiday festivities. Some more sustainable practices to implement for the fall are to keep your old costumes to trade with friends, reuse them for other costumes, or simply donate to schools or charities. Likewise, thrifting or crafting your own costume are other great ways to cut down on the amount of waste surrounding Halloween.
Pinterest has so many DIY costumes to help you create a costume with scraps, old clothes, and some craft supplies. Plus, this may help you save a few bucks! Many costume stores upcharge the price of their costumes because Halloween is their biggest revenue generator throughout the year. Plastic is inexpensive, but some adult store-bought Halloween costumes can be upwards of $80!
Instead of opting in for cheap trick-or-treating buckets, maybe reach for a tote or bag that you already have! Trust me, the candy will be just as exciting despite what carrying vessel it is in.
Another aspect of the holiday that may get overlooked in terms of generating waste is pumpkins! Over 18,000 tons of unused pumpkins are thrown in landfills each year. Large-scale farming of any crop is very taxing on the environment, causing soil erosion and general environmental degradation. This may cause more land to be cleared for agricultural purposes, taking away from natural habitats and ecosystems.
If you are a pumpkin carving pro, I would recommend buying from local farmers and pumpkin patches, if accessible. This would not only help the environment, but you would also be supporting small local businesses.
With these quick and easily adaptable few tips for Halloween, I hope you can enjoy the tricks and treats with just a little bit more mindfulness about the environment. I hope you and your friends and family have a safe and happy Halloween this year!
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