8 Tips for a Sustainable Halloween

1. Buy Ethical & Eco-Friendly Candy

When shopping for candy to hand out, look for options that have minimal packaging and sustainable ingredients. Help support the conservation of Indonesian and Malaysian rainforests by shopping for treats that are made with sustainable palm oil.

The production of non-sustainable palm oil requires the deforestation of rich ecosystems such as rainforests in order to grow huge plantations of palm trees. This is devastating for species such as endangered orangutans, rhinos and tigers because they lose their habitat. In addition to habitat loss, the deforestation of the rainforests is typically done by burning the forests which releases huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable palm oil industries ensure there is no rainforest deforestation, therefore protecting the homes of thousands of species.

Some products that use sustainable palm oil include:

Cadbury, Hershey's, Ghirardelli, Jolly Rancher, KitKat, Lindt, M&Ms, Reese's, Skittles, Snickers, Sour Patch, Twix, Twizzlers, York, Turtles, Whoppers, Kinder, Lay's, Cheetos, Lindt.

2. Thrift Your Costume

This halloween try making your costume out of entirely thrifted or pre-owed materials. Not only is this better for the environment, it's cheaper and more fun!

By shopping for your costume at a thrift store, you're diverting the materials from entering the landfill, and giving them a new life!

3. Support Local Farms

Carving pumpkins is a fall must, so this year get your pumpkin from a local farm. Buying local not only supports your community but it also reduces your carbon footprint! Since the pumpkins don't travel long distances, there is less emissions from transport and therefore less greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Up-Cycled Decorations

While you're out at the thrift store shopping for your awesome new (to you) costume, you may as well pick up some materials to make spooky decorations as well, or use materials you already own.

5. Make the Most of Your Pumpkin

Pumpkins aren't meant to just be carved. Use every part of your pumpkin to reduce waste! The seeds can be roasted to make a great snack; the insides can be pureed and used to make soup, and once halloween is over compost your pumpkin. No food waste here!

6. Throw a Sustainable Halloween Party

Thinking of throwing a halloween party? Why not have fun AND keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. Swap spooky single-use cutlery, plates, napkins & solo cups out for a reusable option, or wash the cups & utensils and reuse them at your next party. Buy party snacks that have minimal packaging and don't contain palm oil

7. Conscious Trick or Treating

If you or your children are going trick or treating this year try using a reusable bag or pillow case to collect all your goodies and walk instead of drive to reduce your fuel emissions.

8. Reuse

Once spooky season has come to an end, reuse your costume materials and halloween decorations for years to come