Have you thought about Halloween plastic waste? By Julie Peller Ph.D.
Green Junction
An article by Aimee Ortiz describing the transformation of Halloween over the years outlines the origins and changes of this holiday and how it is now more of a reflection of our consumptive lifestyles. “Halloween’s mutation: from humble holiday to retail monstrosity” informs readers that consumers are likely to spend $11.6 billion this year, compared to $3.3 billion in 2005, thanks to the lure of yard decorations, costumes, and candy.
Brought to the US in the 1840s, Halloween was established as All Hallo’s Eve, preceding the Catholic holiday All Saint’s Day on November 1st. Ms. Ortiz’s article describes how the holiday was first known as a day when youth destroyed property or played pranks on neighbors. Candy was used to distract kids from their mischievous deeds. When sugar was plentiful after the war years (1950s), trick-or-treating became popular. Over the years, adults started participating in Halloween, and the rise in the consumption of costumes has been notable. In 2013, Home Depot offered about 40 Halloween-related products, compared to today’s merchandise, which is described as hundreds of items. According to a store merchant, the 12-foot skeleton has sold out yearly since it was first offered in 2020.
The explosion of plastic material and the cheapness of these subsidized products are significant drivers of most material-based trends. A 2019 study determined that over 83% of Halloween costumes are made from plastic, a material that never breaks down yet continues to be marketed at an alarming level. Many Halloween costumes are made for one or a few uses before they are discarded. Reducing this waste includes:
Reusing costumes.
Swapping with others.
Making your costumes.
Getting costumes from thrift stores and donating costumes.
Other suggestions to reduce Halloween plastic waste include using cloth trick-or-treat bags, homemade decorations (skip the skeleton and plastic inflatables), and an overall moderation of treats.
Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.