Halloween fun that doesn't cost the planet: little steps in the right direction
Halloween fun doesn't have to cost the planet. To be honest, I know not everything we do is perfect. But I can say that we think consciously about our choices, and we try to take little steps in the right direction, without taking any of the fun away from the children. Last year, when my sister arrived at our party with my nieces in the best Halloween outfits, I hoped neither was new, and I wasn't disappointed. One niece's witch's dress came from a charity shop, and they still have it, ready for another Halloween. Her sister's Spooky top was borrowed from a friend's little girl, and it's already gone back, because that friend has just had another baby girl. One top, three little girls and counting. Yes, most dressing-up is polyester, and that isn't ideal. But once those clothes exist, the best thing we can do is keep them in circulation, and my sister is brilliant at that. I'm really pleased she does. We made spider buns too, an idea I'd spotted on Instagram: the girls' hair twisted up with a big black spider on top. The bits aren't perfect either, but the girls took them home, reused them at their school Halloween parties, and they're coming out again this year. Reusing rather than throwing away: it all counts.
This week a photo has been all over social media, said to show Tim Burton aged nine, in 1967, in a skeleton costume his mum made for him. Many people see it as the seed of Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas, a firm favourite in our house, and I've no doubt the children will be watching it at our party. That's what I'd love to see more of: parents making costumes where they can. I know not everyone has the time, but being a little more thoughtful and resourceful at Halloween is a step we can all take. The same goes for the pumpkin. We'll have one, but I'll turn the flesh into soup, make spiced pumpkin cakes with the girls, and compost the skin. Hubbub says around 30 million pumpkins are bought in the UK each year, and over half are thrown away.
Families are ready to do Halloween differently. Hubbub found that around 7 million Halloween costumes are thrown away in the UK every year (2017), creating about 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste (with the Fairyland Trust, 2019). 90% of families buy new costumes every year, yet 73% of people say they would happily wear a used one from a friend or relative. They just need retailers to make it easy, and some already are. Kinder Collective, an independent children's shop in Broadstairs, Kent, sells its Halloween edit as "made for repeat wear, not landfill": capes, hats, cat ears and make-your-own masks that live in the dressing-up box all year. Preloved kidswear brand Lloop suggests building costumes from clothes children already own, and opens its first shop, at Thrive & Wild in Kings Worthy, Winchester, with a launch weekend from 30th October to 1st November, where families can trade in what their children have outgrown.
What this means for you: Halloween is a test of whether your range is built for one night or for play. If you make or sell dress-up, design it to last beyond the 31st of October and tell customers it will. If you sell clothing, give families a way to trade in or resell outgrown pieces. And if you're a retailer, a pre-loved rail, a costume swap or a make-your-own workshop in October brings families through the door with a reason to come back. The gap between the 90% who buy new and the 73% who would happily go second-hand is your opportunity.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can we have Halloween fun without costing the planet?
Start with what you already own. Make costumes from everyday clothes and the dressing-up box, buy or borrow pre-loved, keep accessories to reuse, and eat or compost your pumpkin.
How many Halloween costumes are thrown away in the UK?
Around 7 million a year, according to Hubbub (2017). Hubbub and the Fairyland Trust estimated in 2019 that discarded costumes create about 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste.
How can brands and retailers make Halloween less wasteful?
By selling dress-up made to last, offering trade-in or resale, and hosting swaps or make-your-own sessions. 73% of people would happily wear a used costume (Hubbub, 2019), so there is clear demand.
If you'd like help building a range, a resale offer or a retail moment that works beyond one night, get in touch with The Nest. I'd love to help.
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