Life
Green Halloween
Halloween, though traditionally not a major holiday in Mallorca, has grown in popularity over recent years. Though All Saints' Day (Día de Todos los Santos) and local autumnal festivals were once more dominant, Halloween continues to grow increasingly popular, especially among younger generations. In cities like Palma, residents and tourists alike enjoy costume parties, themed events, and spooky decorations in bars, clubs, and restaurants. Family-friendly activities, such as trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving, have also become common in many areas throughout the island.
Despite it's popularity however, Halloween is fast becoming one of the least environmentally friendly celebrations on the calendar: known for its disposable decorations, single-use costumes, and vats of plastic wrapped sweet treats. Luckily we have a few tips to ensure having a happy Halloween doesn’t spook the environment!
Deck the hallows
Every year, Halloween is responsible for a huge increase in plastic waste, which is very often not recycled. And yep, that spooky faux police tape and pumpkin styled Halloween banner are right at the top of that list. This statistic seems even more startling when you consider most of us only put up our Halloween decorations for one night only. Then we just confine them to the bin.
Thankfully there are alternatives you can try that are much less scary. For instance, if you want something that is completely recyclable, try making banners and wreaths out of autumnal foliage. They look awesome and can be popped into garden waste once Halloween is over. Or, if you are feeling crafty, try creating your decorations from recyclable products around the home. Why not try egg carton bats, milk carton skeletons and cereal box monsters. Kids will love making them!
Pumpkin Power
Carving pumpkins is a beloved Halloween tradition, but millions of pumpkins all over the world end up in landfills each year, contributing to global methane emissions. To make the most of your pumpkins, consider these tips:
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Use All Parts of the Pumpkin: After you carve your jack-o'-lantern, don’t let the insides go to waste. Roast the seeds for a delicious snack, use the flesh to make soups or pies, and compost what’s left when Halloween is over.
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Composting: When your pumpkin has started to rot, place it in your compost pile rather than the bin. Pumpkins break down quickly and add valuable nutrients to the soil.
Crafty Costumes
In recent years, many of us have become acutely aware of the impact that ‘Throw away’ fashion is having both on our environment and our pockets! Clothing and textiles are notoriously hard to recycle and your Halloween costume is no exception. But there are a few crafty alternatives you can try, to ensure that ghostly get-up doesn’t literally cost the earth. Instead of binning those seriously out of fashion harem pants and puffed sleeve tops, try channelling your inner seamstress and upcycling them into a scary Halloween costume for the kids. If sewing is something you just don’t cotton to, then why not have a look at local Facebook groups or Apps such as Wallapop have to offer. You can often find a good range of pre-loved costumes and outfits that are perfect for the occasion, and very reasonably priced.
Trick or Treat
It’s one of the most enjoyable parts of Halloween - armfuls of novelty sweets! Sadly, sweet wrappers often aren’t recycled, which only adds to the global plastic horror show. Thankfully, there is a way to still have your caramelos and eat them! If you’re looking for more green treats this year, try making Halloween cookies, or homemade toffee apples. The kids will love making them and it will save on all that packaging! After all, Halloween wouldn’t be complete without those sweet treats.
Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags: Instead of plastic bags or one-time-use buckets, encourage your kids to use reusable cloth bags or pillowcases to collect their caramelos at any halloween events, parties and if your area takes part in trick or treating. You can even decorate the bags for a fun halloween craft activity for you and your little ones!
The devil is not in the details
If you’re hosting a Halloween party, a little planning goes a long way. Aim to reduce waste and energy consumption without sacrificing the fun:
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Digital Invitations: Skip the paper invites and opt for digital invitations through email or social media to reduce paper waste.
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Reusable Party Supplies: Instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils, use reusable ones. If you need disposable options, go for biodegradable or compostable alternatives.
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Local and Organic Food: Serve organic, locally sourced snacks and drinks to minimise your party's carbon footprint. Your town’s local markets are perfect to stock up on supplies sustainably, find your town’s weekly market days here.
With a little thought and effort, you can enjoy a fun-filled, spooky Halloween that’s also kind to the planet. By making sustainable choices, reducing waste, and reusing materials, you’ll contribute to a greener, more eco-friendly celebration.
So don’t let this October 31st give you the environmental blues. Not when you can make it a Green Halloween!