Eco Alternatives for Halloween

Halloween is a time for fun, creativity, and, of course, treats! However, it’s essential to consider the environmental impact of our choices. Traditional trick-or-treating often leads to a mountain of single-use candy wrappers and plastic packaging. In fact, this year, it’s estimated that $3.6 billion worth of candy will be purchased this year for trick-or-treating, and over $400 million of uneaten candy will be wasted and sent to the landfill.¹ ²

With Halloween right around the corner, we’d love to offer some alternative treats for trick-or-treating! 

How to Host a Zero Waste Halloween Party

Throwing a party? Instead of individually wrapped treats, consider buying your favorite candies in bulk and offering it to you guests in a creative way:

• Bring Your Own Container: Encourage guests to bring their own containers for filling. This could be anything from a mason jar to a reusable tote.
• Use Compostable Bags: If you prefer to provide bags, consider using compostable options made from plant materials. They’re eco-friendly and break down naturally after use.
• Set Up a Candy Bar: Create a fun candy bar where people can choose their favorite treats and make their own bag! This adds an interactive element to the experience and reduces packaging waste.

Handmade Treats and Crafts

Why not swap out candy for your trick or treaters and instead provide unique, handmade items. Here are some creative alternatives to traditional treats:

• Friendship Bracelets: A fun DIY project! Kids love colorful bracelets, and they’re a great way to show friendship. Use natural fibers, so that if it ends up in the landfill down the line, it can break down naturally.
• Homemade Treats: If you enjoy baking, consider making small batches of cookies, brownies, or other sweet treats and decorate them Halloween-style for extra flair. Just be sure to label them clearly and consider any allergies.

Edible Alternatives

If you want to stick with edible treats but still reduce waste, consider these eco-friendly options:

• Fruit: Fresh fruit, like apples or clementines, can be a great (and healthier) alternative. Just be sure to wash them beforehand! Or, some fruit snacks and gummies are a great, healthy candy-like alternative!
• Nuts and Seeds: Offer a mix of nuts or seeds, or a trail mix in small, reusable or compostable bags. They’re nutritious and a unique treat.
• Popcorn: Make popcorn and package it in paper bags or compostable bags. Season it with natural flavors like cinnamon or cocoa for an added twist!

Eco-Friendly Decorations and Costumes

To complement your waste-free trick-or-treating, consider sustainable decorations and costumes:

• DIY Costumes: Get creative with costumes made from items you already have at home or visit a thrift store for second-hand finds. Take a read of our blog post here for some Creative Zero Waste Halloween Costume Ideas.
• Natural Decorations: Use natural elements like pumpkins, gourds, and leaves for decorations instead of plastic items! But make sure to compost them once Halloween is over so that they don’t make their way to the landfill. 

Halloween’s environmental footprint is significant. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans were expected to spend approximately $11.6 billion on Halloween in 2024. ³ Halloween celebrations in the US rank as one of the highest retail spending events of the year. This includes millions of costumes, decorations, and candies, much of which ends up as waste.

By choosing waste-free treats and eco-friendly alternatives to the traditional candy craze that trick-or-treating brings, we can enjoy Halloween without contributing more waste to the planet. You can also read our other blog here on 5 Ways to Create a Zero Waste Halloween to reduce your carbon footprint across the entirety of the Halloween season.

What are some of your favorite ways to reduce waste for Halloween?

Happy Halloween from all of us at Tare Market! 🎃✨

Sources:

1. https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/1012/how-much-americans-spend-on-halloween.aspx
2. https://www.ngpf.org/blog/question-of-the-day/question-of-the-day-how-much-money-do-americans-waste-on-uneaten-candy-for-halloween/#:~:text=%22Every%20year%2C%20Americans%20throw%20away,treats%20that%20they%20do%20enjoy
3. https://www.statista.com/statistics/275726/annual-halloween-expenditure-in-the-united-states/