Discover 10 eco-friendly ideas to reduce waste, reuse materials, and make your Halloween fun and sustainable in the heart of the city.
Let’s be honest: if it were up to us, Halloween would be a simple day like any other. But that would overlook the fact that, according to the charity Hubbub, half of the UK celebrates Halloween. Millions of children are excited for their first big holiday before Christmas, filled with thrills, sweets, pumpkins, and lanterns. For adults, it’s all about costumes, parties, and festive fun. And, of course, we can’t ignore the global marketing machine Halloween has become, bringing with it mountains of waste—from food to plastic—making it one of the biggest waste-producing days of the year.
However, in recent years, businesses, charities, chefs, and others have started working to reduce Halloween’s environmental impact. In London, there are plenty of ways to make Halloween greener. From local events to sustainable tips, we’ll explore how to celebrate more eco-consciously in the city.
Facts and Figures
It’s hard to know exactly how many pumpkins will be bought for Halloween this year, but according to Hubbub, between 25 and 30 million pumpkins are typically sold in the UK each year. Unfortunately, half of them are carved, with the flesh often going to waste. Knowing that one pumpkin can produce enough flesh for up to six meals—whether it’s pumpkin soup, roasted pumpkin, or even pumpkin pie—that’s a lot of good food that ends up in the bin during a time of climate crisis and food insecurity.
But pumpkins aren’t the only problem. According to a survey by Fairyland Trust in 2021, 83% of Halloween costumes are made using plastic, and an estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated from costumes each year in the UK. Additionally, single-use plastics dominate home decorations and party supplies, adding to the growing waste problem associated with the holiday season.
How to reduce the environmental impact of Halloween
Pumpkins, Waste, and Cooking
1) Decorate your pumpkins instead of carving them.
Hubbub has relaunched its Eat Your Pumpkin campaign, encouraging people to decorate their pumpkins instead of carving them—and then eat them later (the smaller ones taste better!). This is a great option if you’re not great with knives or just want to avoid the mess.
2) Try some pumpkin recipes.
Don’t throw away the flesh—cook it! Pumpkin can be incredibly versatile. You can make soup, cake, pie, or even roasted pumpkin for a healthy snack. Hubbub has a great recipe leaflet, and if you’re looking for something with Mediterranean vibes, check out Yotam Ottolenghi’s pumpkin recipes.
3) Don’t waste pumpkin flesh.
If you really can’t eat it, don’t worry—there are still ways to avoid waste. Pumpkin flesh can be a great snack for birds or dogs (it’s good for their digestion!), or you can compost it if you have the space. If none of these are an option, just make sure it goes in your food waste bin to reduce methane emissions from landfill.
Decorations and Costumes
4) Reuse your decorations.
This year, challenge yourself not to buy any new decorations. Plastic is the real horror story here! Instead, reuse what you have at home or make your own from recycled materials. WWF suggests ideas like turning cardboard into tombstones or using leaves and branches to create a natural, spooky vibe. The best part? You can save them for next year!
5) Make your own costumes.
DIY is the way to go! Instead of buying a new costume, why not upcycle some old clothes? London has great options like Beyond Retro or Fara Charity shops, where you can find second-hand items to transform into a spooky outfit. You probably have something hiding in your wardrobe that can be creatively reimagined into a Halloween costume. For kids, consider organising a costume swap with neighbours or friends to reduce the need for new purchases. For more thrift shop options in London, check out Ganddee’s latest post.
6) Use non-toxic face paint for kids.
Many face paints contain harmful chemicals, so opt for non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives. Babipur offers Natural Earth Paint, which is free from harmful ingredients and safe for the environment. Check their website or Instagram for inspiration, and YouTube for tutorials on how to create scary looks using safer paints.
Events and Activities
7) Attend a pumpkin party or event.
There are plenty of Halloween events around London to choose from. For example, Hyde Park hosts Hair-Raising Halloween, an afternoon of free activities like storytelling and nature walks, where you can even learn about bats. Kew Gardens also offers a Halloween After-Dark Trail, which may be a bit pricey but offers special rates for families, and free entry for children under four.
8) Visit the London Zoo for Halloween.
London Zoo has a range of Halloween activities included with your zoo ticket, and for a small extra fee, you can take part in pumpkin decorating and face painting. Plus, there’s a Golden Pumpkin Hunt exclusively for zoo members.
9) Halloween at the Natural History Museum.
For adults, the Natural History Museum is hosting Halloween Spooky Science, where you can explore eerie science through tours that take you behind the scenes to see creepy creatures that are usually hidden from view.
Mindful Trick-or-Treating
10) Use reusable bags and buy in bulk.
Ditch the plastic bags for trick-or-treating and bring something reusable instead. When buying sweets, opt for sustainable shops in London that sell in bulk to reduce packaging waste. The Source Bulk Foods in West Hampstead or Zero Waste Bulk Foods in Walthamstow are great places to find treats without the unnecessary plastic.
With a few simple changes, we can make Halloween greener while still having fun. Whether it’s reusing costumes, trying new pumpkin recipes, or picking eco-friendly decorations, there’s a more sustainable way to celebrate in London!
