How much does Halloween pollute?

Tons of plastic for making disguises

On October 31 each year we celebrate the Halloween holiday in which children and teenagers dress up as nocturnal, frightening creatures.

Tons of plastic are used for this worldwide celebrity event to make most of the disguises and decorations.

In addition, we have to deal with the countless waste that this event entails.

In fact, it is very likely that once the festivities are over, the clothing, accessories and decorations used end up in the trash, which greatly increases the (already high) amount of plastic waste.

The impact on the environment

According to a study recently conducted by the environmental association Hubbub and the nonprofit family organization The Fairland Trust, the environmental impact of Halloween costumes is equal to that of 83 million plastic bottles.

The study shows, in particular, how 83 percent of the materials used for these costumes are based on petroleum-derived plastic, which in 69 percent of cases is polyester. Cotton, on the other hand, accounts for only 10%.

These are numbers that should worry us considering that more than 30 million people, each year, dress up for Halloween and 7 million outfits are thrown away at the end of the holiday.

If we switch from Halloween costumes to pumpkins, the situation does not improve because of the issue of food waste.

Is a green Halloween possible?

Yes! It is possible to make Halloween, as well as any other holiday, a more sustainable event .

We need to remember that every action we take has consequences.

”Teachers for Future Campania” on the occasion of Halloween 2019 had launched a campaign to emphasize the importance of greener attitudes.

Among the rules proposed was to create costumes with the necessities we have at home, instead of buying them. Or to borrow them, give them away or exchange them to encourage the circular economy model. If you want to buy your own dress it would be good to at least pay attention to the materials from which it is made.

Small steps that we should put in place not only on Halloween but every day to make conscious choices that could really save the entire planet.