Tips & Tricks for a Plastic Free Halloween!

From frightful faces to spooky dress-ups and trick-or-treating, Halloween has well and truly taken off in Australia. But the real scare? The plastic that creeps into almost every part of it - costumes, lolly wrappers, decorations, glitter, and even baking supplies.

This year, let’s flip the script and make Halloween a little less frightening for the planet. With a few clever swaps and creative ideas, you can have a zero-waste, plastic-free Halloween that’s just as fun - and far more sustainable.

Trick-or-Treat, Not Plastic

While you can’t control what other households hand out, you can choose how you spread your Halloween cheer. 

Go plastic-free with your treats - opt for paper-boxed chocolates or sweets that come in recyclable packaging.

Shop in bulk - visit your local bulk food store and fill Hemp Bags or Glass Containers with mixed lollies. Your bulk food bags will come in handy here.

Spare change trick - kids love surprises. Offer a handful of loose coins from your change jar instead of plastic toys or trinkets.

Little changes like these make a big impact - and your neighbours might just be inspired to follow your lead.

Plastic-Free Halloween Bag

Australians use around 6.9 billion plastic bags every year - and nearly half are single-use shopping bags. This Halloween, ditch the plastic pumpkin buckets and try one of these easy swaps:

Upcycle an old t-shirt – cut and tie it into a reusable trick-or-treat bag.

Use what you have – a pillowcase, tote bag, or cloth shopping bag does the job perfectly.

Make it your own – decorate with eco-friendly paint or markers for a creative Halloween craft that you can reuse year after year.

It’s a simple, zero-waste swap that saves plastic and adds a personal touch to your Halloween fun.

Zero Waste Costumes

Costumes are a huge part of the Halloween magic - but they’re also a major source of waste. The fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions, and most Halloween costumes are made from polyester (plastic).
Here’s how to go zero waste with your costume this year:

Shop your wardrobe first - get creative and repurpose what you already own.

Host a costume swap - trade outfits with friends or neighbours.

Rent, don’t buy - costume rental is the sustainable choice for one-night wear.

Use biodegradable glitter - it sparkles without harming the ocean.

A little imagination goes a long way - and you’ll end up with a costume that’s as unique as it is eco-friendly.

Make the Most of Your Pumpkin

Nothing says Halloween quite like a glowing jack-o-lantern. But after the fun, most pumpkins end up in landfill - releasing greenhouse gases as they break down.

This year, go full circle with your pumpkin:

• • Roast the seeds for a crunchy snack.
  • Bake a pumpkin pie or muffins for a festive treat.
  • Make pumpkin soup and freeze portions for later - our Silicone Freezer Trays make it easy.
  • Compost what’s left - toss it in your home compost bin or drop it off at a local composting hub.

It’s the perfect mix of spooky and sustainable.

Deathly Decorations (Minus the Plastic)

From fake spider webs to glittery skeletons, Halloween decorations are often made of cheap, non-recyclable plastic. This year, embrace eco-friendly Halloween décor that’s better for the planet and still totally boo-tiful.

Try these zero waste decoration ideas:

• • DIY paper bats or leaf ghosts painted with natural dyes.
  • Upcycled jars as candle holders for a warm, eerie glow.
  • Pumpkin displays for a festive and compostable centrepiece.
  • Reuse old decorations - don’t bin them. Store and bring them out each year.
    

Add a spooky playlist, a few candles, and your Halloween will feel perfectly haunting - no plastic required.

Plastic-Free Halloween Baking

If you love baking Halloween treats, keep it plastic-free by choosing reusable and sustainable baking essentials:

• • Use Silicone Baking Mats instead of disposable paper.
  • Store your baked goods in Glass Containers or Stainless Steel Tins.
  • Shop for your baking ingredients in bulk to avoid plastic packaging.

Whether you’re making ghost-shaped cookies or pumpkin muffins, a zero-waste baking setup means less mess for the planet - and more fun in the kitchen.

This Halloween, Choose a Different Kind of Scary

The scariest thing about Halloween shouldn’t be the waste it leaves behind. By going plastic-free and embracing zero-waste swaps, you can celebrate sustainably - and inspire others to do the same. Because nothing’s more haunting than plastic that lasts forever.