Have a greener Halloween
Halloween can be fun without creating lots of waste. Our Recycling Team has some simple tips to help you reuse more, recycle correctly and make the most of your food.
Halloween Pumpkins
Before carving your pumpkin, scoop out the flesh and seeds. Use the flesh in soups, curries, risottos, pasta bakes or muffins, and roast the seeds for a snack.
Too much to use at once? Cut the pumpkin into chunks, parboil it, cool it in iced water and freeze it in an airtight container.
Plan party portions carefully and store leftovers safely so they can be used after the celebrations. Put any food that cannot be eaten in your brown bin.
Do not leave pumpkins in the countryside or woodland. They can make wildlife seriously ill.
Put pumpkin pieces, seeds, peelings and other food waste in your brown bin. Remove candles and decorations first.
Choose a reusable costume or make your own
Turn cardboard boxes into robots, fabric scraps into witch hats and old bedsheets into ghosts. Clean packaging and unwanted clothes can also be transformed into capes, masks and accessories.
Reuse, swap or borrow
Check charity shops and online marketplaces for pre-loved costumes, organise a swap with friends or family, or borrow items you will only wear once. Repair or alter costumes where possible, and donate, sell or pass on anything that has been outgrown.
Reduce single use plastic
Make your own decorations
Create pumpkins, bats, spiders, skeletons and tombstones from recycled paper or card. Turn old boxes into spooky signs, reuse decorations from previous years and store them for next Halloween.
Try face paint or a homemade mask
Face paint can be a lower-waste alternative to a disposable plastic mask. You could also make a reusable mask from card or fabric. Follow product instructions and make sure masks are comfortable and do not restrict vision.
Use reusable partyware
Serve food and drinks on your usual plates and use reusable cutlery, cups and glasses. Cloth napkins, washable tablecloths and clearly labelled recycling containers can help reduce waste further.
Choose a reusable treat bag
Use a wicker basket, canvas bag or decorated pillowcase for trick-or-treating. Where practical, choose treats with less packaging and keep the container for next year.
