Haunted by Waste? How to Celebrate Halloween Sustainably

As the spooky season approaches, UK businesses prepare for a flurry of festivities. But amidst the Halloween fun, there’s a ghost we can’t ignore—waste.

From piles of plastic decorations to uneaten pumpkin treats, the Halloween season generates more waste than many business owners realise.

This blog shares tips to manage your waste sustainably this Halloween, ensuring you celebrate responsibly while protecting the environment.

Table of Contents

The Frightful Impact of Halloween Waste
Pumpkins: Avoid Food Waste
Say No to Single-Use Plastics
Reduce Packaging Waste
Promote Recycling in Your Workplace
Educate and Engage Customers
Partner with a Responsible Waste Management Company
Scare Off Waste, Not the Planet

The Frightful Impact of Halloween Waste

Halloween is notorious for creating heaps of unnecessary waste. From single-use decorations to excess packaging, the environmental impact is significant.

Businesses, particularly those in hospitality and retail, play a crucial role in minimising waste during this busy period.

Pumpkins: Avoid Food Waste

Every year, over 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are discarded in the UK, and much of them end up in landfills. You must know how to safely discard the pumpkins you use over the Halloween period!

While pumpkins are often used for decoration, they are also edible and versatile.

Here’s how your business can combat food waste:

Donate or compost leftover pumpkin flesh. Many charities or community groups will happily take surplus food for meals.

Offer seasonal pumpkin recipes in your cafe or restaurant to make use of the whole vegetable.

Consider setting up a composting station for customers and staff to dispose of organic waste sustainably.

Say No to Single-Use Plastics

From plastic wrappers to spooky décor, Halloween is often filled with single-use plastic items that can end up in landfill. As a business owner, reducing plastic usage should be your priority.

Here are some easy wins:

Opt for recyclable or biodegradable decorations. Paper garlands, reusable banners, and natural materials like straw or wood are far better for the environment.

Avoid single-use plastic trick-or-treat items. Instead, offer paper bags or recyclable alternatives to customers.

If you’re running a Halloween event, ensure bins for recycling are marked and available, making it easy for attendees to do their part.

Reduce Packaging Waste

Halloween often sees a rise in packaging waste, especially in retail businesses. Whether it’s costumes or confectionery, plastic packaging is a common culprit.

To cut down on this:

Source costumes and products from suppliers that use sustainable, minimal packaging.

Encourage customers to bring their bags or offer a discount for doing so.

Consider bulk buying seasonal items to reduce the amount of packaging waste your business generates.

Promote Recycling in Your Workplace

Encouraging sustainable practices within your business can significantly reduce waste. Make it easier for your staff and customers to recycle by setting up visible, well-labelled bins:

Create a separate bin for plastics, ensuring only recyclable items go in.

Have a dedicated bin for food waste if you run a hospitality business.

Provide clear signage to help staff and customers understand what can and can’t be recycled.

We provide a variety of bin sizes to suit different business needs, handling waste types including mixed recycling, food, general waste, and sharps disposal.

Educate and Engage Customers

Sustainability starts with awareness, so use Halloween as an opportunity to engage customers in your waste reduction efforts.

Whether you’re a retail shop, hotel, or restaurant, you can share simple but impactful tips:

Create social media posts or a blog that educates customers on how they can reduce their Halloween waste.

Host a recycling-themed event or competition to encourage customers to bring in recyclable Halloween items, offering a prize as an incentive.

Partner with a Responsible Waste Management Company

Managing waste doesn’t need to be daunting. Partnering with a waste management company ensures that your Halloween waste is handled responsibly, whether it’s food scraps or recyclable materials. A good waste management partner will: