Here’s the scary truth: celebrations like Halloween can be haunted by waste. From low quality costumes to disposable plastic decorations, the annual tradition of Halloween can lead to over consumption, excess waste, and unnecessary expenses. 

It doesn’t need to be this way. Halloween is about having fun and bringing tremendous joy to kids and communities alike.  For generations, before store-bought options became available costumes and decor were handmade from old materials. Event Trick-or-treating is based on an ancient Irish and Scottish tradition of “guising,” where short performances are rewarded with homemade food or treats.

While accepting homemade goodies from strangers or spending hours learning to sew a new Halloween getup may be relics of the past, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a modern Halloween that reduce waste and strengthen circular practices of the days before. 

Save money, connect with your community and reduce your environmental impact this Halloween with our best tips. Go circular! 

While the annual Circular Economy Month campaign wraps-up on October 31st, we encourage you to continue learning about the circular economy and taking actions all year round.

1. Keep it real

When decorating, skip buying new cheap plastic decorations. Keep it real by using natural materials like leaves, branches and pumpkins.

As one of autumn’s iconic crops, pumpkins are grown locally across Canada, so when you buy one, you’re supporting nearby farmers and cutting down on transport emissions. But tossing your pumpkin after Halloween is a real waste! Instead, give it a second life: roast the seeds for a crunchy snack or turn the flesh into pumpkin purée.

2. Reuse again and again

Looking to spook up your neighbourhood with more than just pumpkins? Looking for the perfect costume? Shop secondhand at thrift stores or online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing Groups, Karrot App, or Kijiji to give existing decorations a second life.

If you must purchase something new, support local shops and businesses whenever possible. Choose durable decor that’s built to withstand Canada’s chilly, rainy October weather so you can reuse it year after year.

Rethink what you actually need. Yes, decorations can be used year after year! Keep it simple.

Closeup of hands manipulating cloth into beautiful pumpkin shapes using the Furoshiki method of folding. Pine cones and cinnamon lay on the table as decoration.

3. Swap

Swap out your Halloween costumes from previous years for something new-to-you instead of buying brand new! Hosting a costume swap party with friends or neighbours is a fun and sustainable way to refresh your look without spending money or contributing to waste. Everyone can bring old costumes, accessories, or props they no longer need and trade them for something different. Add snacks, music and maybe a spooky movie to make it a full-on Halloween get-together.  You’ll save money, reduce waste and keep perfectly good costumes out of landfills!

4. Borrow

Don’t have anything to swap? Borrow a costume from a neighbour, family member or friend. Try reaching out to neighbourhood groups online or apps like Lend-it.ca to see if anyone has the items you’re looking for and willing to loan it. Look for costume or party rental services in your community. You’d be surprised by what you can find for free. 

5. Get creative

Feeling creative? Try making your own DIY decorations and costumes using materials you already have at home — it’s fun, affordable, and waste-free!

Packaged costumes are often made from low-quality synthetic materials designed for short-term use, which tend to shed microplastics and fall apart after just one or two wears. Instead, build your costume from upcycled or thrifted pieces for a unique, sustainable twist. The same goes for decor! There are plenty of fun DIY decoration ideas you can make with your kids or friends, from spooky candle jars to homemade garlands.

You’ll save money, reduce waste, and create one-of-a-kind Halloween looks and decorations that are far more memorable and unique than anything store-bought.

6. Plastic-free treats

It can be challenging to avoid plastic-wrapped treats at Halloween, but it’s definitely possible. Consider buying package-free candy from your local bulk store for friends and family you know personally. For trick-or-treaters, choose sweets wrapped in paper or foil, as these materials are much easier to recycle. Some popular options that come in recyclable cardboard boxes include Smarties, Nerds and Popeye Candy Sticks. Whenever possible, buy your candy from Canadian retailers to support local businesses and reduce your environmental footprint.

7. Use up your pumpkin

Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and fibre and can be cooked many different ways, so don’t let them go to waste! 

Pro tip: A carved jack-o’-lantern lasts only 3–5 days before it starts to rot, so carve it just before Halloween. That way, you can bring it in afterward, roast it up, and enjoy every bite!

Skip wax candles too. Reusable tea lights or LED candles keep your pumpkin safe to eat later. Or skip carving altogether and paint your pumpkin with non-toxic, washable paint, then rinse it clean afterward so it’s ready to cook or compost. Avoid permanent markers or toxic paints so your pumpkin stays edible and compost-friendly.

Use the seeds too! Roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious snack and you can also use them to grow microgreens. If you don’t feel like processing your pumpkins, consider calling your local farms to see if they can be used as animal feed, or choose to compost them if there are no farm upcycling opportunities near you.\

8. Compost

If you just don’t have time to cook it all up. Compost it! Over 80,000 metric tonnes of pumpkins are produced in Canada each year — and when they end up in landfills, they release methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Composting helps keep that waste (and those emissions) out of our atmosphere.

9. Recycle right

Hosting a Halloween party? Don’t forget to properly recycle any single-use containers you use for entertaining (like beer bottles, pop cans, or cartons) either by placing them in your curbside program or returning to your local reuse centre. Depending on the type of material and your province/territory, you can get money back for every container recycled. That’s a win-win for your wallet and the environment!

10. Give back to the community

Have gently used costumes, Halloween decorations, or warm clothing you no longer need? Or maybe some leftover canned goods from Thanksgiving? Consider donating them to a local charity or community organization to help those in need. As the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches, these items are often in high demand and can make a meaningful difference for families in your community.

Additional Resources

Check out these resources for additional tips and inspiration!

Do you have any go-to tips for your sustainable holiday seasons? Let us know by posting on social media #CircularEconomyMonth!