WASTE Managed has warned of the ‘terrifying’ amount of plastic waste created each Halloween in the UK.
The firm estimates that around seven million costumes are discarded each Halloween in the UK, with many made from synthetic materials that contribute to 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste.
Further to this, many Halloween decorations are single-use and add to the plastic waste, whilst Waste Managed estimates that around 18,000 pumpkins are binned each year in the UK.
Steve Traviss, sustainability expert at Waste Managed, said, “Halloween is a fun time of year for all, with everyone looking to celebrate, but the long-term impact of waste and buying disposable items needs to be addressed urgently. Consumers need to consider sustainability in their Halloween purchases – we all need to make a conscious effort to improve this so that Halloween can be enjoyed for many years to come.”
To help reduce the horror of waste this year Steve also shares some solutions to reduce waste:
- Costumes: Swap, rent, or make your own from costumes to avoid one-time-use plastics and look to reuse them or donate them to charity when no longer needed.
- Pumpkins: Repurpose carved pumpkins into soups, pies, or compost instead of binning them, look for tasty recipes instead of wasting food.
- Decorations: Purchase reusable decorations that can be utilised for several years or donate them to charity once you finish with them.
Steve continued, “Waste Managed also urges UK businesses to act by using sustainable decorations, minimising packaging waste, and promoting recycling. Restaurants and retailers can also reduce food waste by incorporating pumpkin-based dishes or setting up composting stations. Partnering with a responsible waste management provider ensures compliance with recycling regulations and proper waste segregation.
“Waste Managed is encouraging everyone to make small changes that will have a big impact on reducing Halloween waste. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses and consumers alike can celebrate without leaving a frightening environmental footprint.”
