3 tips for a plastic-free Halloween

Halloween is almost here and if you haven't done it yet, it's time to think about decorations, costumes and candy. Be honest, have you ever planned a plastic-free Halloween? It's not easy. Candy comes in plastic wrappers, costumes are synthetic, and decoration is mostly made of plastic, especially if you buy last minute.

Celebrating a plastic-free Halloween needs more planning and a bit more DIY, but it's fun and you can get really creative.

If you want to make your Halloween more eco-friendly this year, here are my top 3 tips for a plastic-free Halloween.

1. Decorations

Make your own Halloween decorations with plastic-free, natural ingredients such as wood, paper, and pine cones.
First, carve a scarecrow out of wood, add a jack-o-lantern head and dress it in some old, shabby clothes.
Next, cut a few cats and bats from black paper and sit or hang them (upside down) on a tree.

Cats, owls and bats can be cut from black cardboard and sat on or hung from trees.

You can also make ghosts, spiders and other creatures from burlap, straw or hemp. Decorate everything with colorful leaves, nuts, small pumpkins or fairy lights. If you paint a few mason jars black and orange and put a candle inside, you will cast your porch or driveway in an eery light.

Making your own decorations is not only a lot of fun, it's also good for the environment - and your wallet.

Need more ideas? Have a look at this inspirational Pinterst Board.

2. Pumpkins

Actually carve a pumpkin again. They are the ultimate in zero-waste Halloween decorations: You can cook the insides, roast the seeds, and get creative with the shell. When Halloween is over, you can just throw them on the compost.

You'll find lots of design ideas on the web. Let your imagination run wild - from cute to creepy, everything is possible.

By the way, children love to be involved in the crafting process and usually have wonderful ideas. Just ask them.

Get creative with your pumpkin - from cute to creepy, everything is possible.

3. Candy

Instead of buying sweets wrapped in plastic, bake your own horror cookies this year. Cut out bat, ghost or witch shapes and decorate them with Halloween motifs made of powdered sugar or frosting. Wrap them in paper napkins.

You'll find lots of inspiration on Pinterest. I especially like this board.

Homemade cookies and cakes are the perfect zero waste treat.

Not the baking type? Look for candy that comes in paper boxes or is wrapped in recyclable foil. Smarties and Dots are examples of companies using eco-friendly wrapping.

What do you think?

Here you have it. My top three tips to get started on a spooktastic, plastic-free, zero waste Halloween celebration. Want more tips about zero waste decorations and costumes? Check out this and this post as well. 

Have fun! 

And tell me what you think!