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Trick or Treat: Unmask your Halloween Recyclables
Halloween is all about dressing up, having fun, and candy, lots of candy. There are plenty of ways to reduce your spooktacular waste during Halloween and ensure you’re not creating a ghoulish problem by throwing away or recycling items incorrectly.Byline: BTB Editor
October 29, 2021 / Time to read: 5 minHalloween is all about dressing up, having fun and eating candy – lots of candy. According to the
While spending on Halloween decreased slightly in 2020, the average American estimated spending more than $90 on the holiday (
All of this spending results in a lot of waste. Between costumes and candy wrappers, Halloween can be an environmental vampire.
But there are plenty of ways to reduce your spooktacular waste during the Halloween season and ensure you’re not creating a ghoulish problem by throwing away or recycling the wrong items.
Check out these tricks for celebrating Halloween sustainably:
- DO recycle what you can. Many Halloween staples – like candy and masks – aren’t recyclable. But, many other items like
plastic water bottles, beveragecans , cleanpaper plates , andcardboard boxes are recyclable. Make sure to recycle items that are accepted in your community’s recycling program. - DO use what you have. Instead of buying a new costume that’s packaged in plastic that can’t be recycled in your curbside recycling bin, use what you have at home to
make your costume . You can evenmake a costume out of a pizza box . - DO compost your jack-o’-lantern. While pumpkins never go in your blue recycling bin, they can be disposed of in your organic or yard waste container. Unsure if you have an organic waste or composting facility nearby? Republic Services may offer
composting in your area. - DO invest in reusable items. When buying holiday decorations, invest in reusable items that you can enjoy for years to come. Some examples of reusable décor items include Halloween wreaths, lights, signs and more. This reduces your environmental impact each year and keeps disposable décor out of the landfill.
- DON’T put candy wrappers in your recycling bin. A 2019
Republic Services survey revealed that about 24% of people think candy wrappers are recyclable. But candy wrappers are often coated paper, which can’t be processed into new paper. Also, wrappers are usually small, and no material smaller than a credit card should ever be placed in your recycling bin. On the plus side, unwrapped candy can be disposed of with your organic waste. - DON’T trash costumes. Fabric costumes and plastic and latex masks cannot be recycled by curbside programs. These are great items to keep for a future Halloween or donate to your local thrift store. Getting the most use out of items like costumes is a great way to make Halloween more sustainable.
- DON’T recycle face paint and makeup. It’s kind of a no-brainer, but tins and tubes of face paint and fake blood aren’t recyclable. These plastic or metal containers are most likely contaminated by goopy residue, and it’s best to throw them away.
- DON’T toss
e-waste . Halloween electronics, which can include animatronic decorations and other chargeable or battery-operated props, should not be tossed in your trash or recycling bin at home.Battery-operated items ande-waste require special handling and should be recycled with a trusted provider. It’s best to dispose of anything with a cord or battery safely through amail-in recycling program or a local e-waste recycler, like Best Buy.
By following a few simple guidelines, we can all be better recyclers, even when it’s scary. Learn more at
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