Halloween is a time for fun and creativity, but it also comes with a hidden environmental cost. Every year in the UK, our love of costumes, pumpkins, and seasonal decorations generates huge amounts of waste. But there’s good news: with a few mindful swaps and ethical choices, you can make your Halloween both magical and sustainable. Here’s how.

The Environmental Impact of Our Halloween Habits

Plastic in Costumes

According to research by Hubbub and the Fairyland Trust, around 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually by Halloween costumes in the UK - that’s roughly equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles.

More than 80% of costume materials are oil-based plastics such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon - materials that often aren’t recyclable and hang around in the environment for decades.

Pumpkin Waste

Pumpkins are another big source of waste. Each Halloween, an estimated 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are discarded in the UK. Many are used purely for decoration and never eaten.

When pumpkins (or any food waste) go to landfill, they decompose anaerobically and release methane, a greenhouse gas much more potent than carbon dioxide. 

Single-Use, Fast-Fashion, and Decor

Many Halloween decorations and outfits are designed to be used once and discarded. Cheap plastics, synthetic fabrics, and throwaway decor contribute to pollution, resource depletion, and carbon emissions through production, transport, and waste disposal. (Studies show that 69% of costume material by weight is polyester, and cotton or natural fibre components are much lower.) 

How to Celebrate a More Ethical Halloween

Here are practical steps you can take to reduce the footprint of your Halloween:

Repurpose, Rent, or Upcycle Costumes

Use clothes you already own, borrow costumes, or shop second-hand. Let your creativity lead - you can adapt or decorate existing items rather than buying something new. If you need inspiration, check out our Sparks Bristol neighbour Marcie K's amazing Halloween wedding dress! 

Choose Natural or Biodegradable Materials

When buying decorations or costume materials, opt for felt, cotton, wool, or other natural fibres instead of synthetic plastics. Felt decorations, for example, last for years, don’t shed microplastics, and often have lower impact in production.

Use the Whole Pumpkin

Carve creatively but avoid discarding all the edible parts. Roast the flesh, use seeds, compost the rest, or put pumpkin waste in your council’s food waste collection. Even better: decorate rather than carve to prolong its lifespan.

Shop Ethically and Consciously

Supporting Fair Trade, artisan-made or locally-made decor helps reduce transportation emissions and supports better labour practices. Also, inspect product labels - look for non-plastic content, durability, and if items are reusable.

Decorate Sustainably

Instead of buying plastic banners, single-use lights, or disposable decor, invest in reusable pieces that you can bring out year after year. Felt decorations, wooden items, or well-made pieces tend to serve longer and waste much less.

Ethical & Sustainable Products at Good Things

To help turn the ideas above into action, here are a few products from Good Things that align beautifully with a low-waste Halloween:

Needle Felt Pumpkin Halloween Decoration — Choose from a range of seasonal colours, and enjoy this felt pumpkin that can be reused year after year.

Felt Spooky Spiderweb Hanging Decoration — A spooky touch made from durable felt, no plastic.

Needle Felt Autumn Leaves Garland — Hand-felted, biodegradable, and fair trade; perfect for autumn seasonal decor beyond Halloween.

Think less waste, more longevity, plus kinder to the planet, and the people who make them. 

Final Thoughts

Halloween doesn’t have to cost the Earth. By making mindful choices, you can reduce waste, help cut greenhouse gas emissions, and set a pattern of thoughtful consumption. Let’s embrace costumes that tell stories (and don’t end up in landfill), pumpkins that feed and nourish, decor that declutters rather than litters. 

You might also like:

• Eco Friendly Secret Santa Gifts
• Eco Friendly Stocking Fillers Under £20
• Sustainable Black Friday Alternatives

At Good Things you’ll find inspiring ethical and sustainable gifts that support charities, empower people and protect our planet. Discover gifts for all ages and inspiring ideas like cards that plant trees, handmade cushions empowering people in Tanzania and eco toys made from recycled milk bottles. Have a look at our collections.

Check out more Little Ways to Love the Planet or sign up to have Good Things popped into your inbox every other week.