HALLOWEEN IS A SCARY TIME OF YEAR 

Halloween is a scary time of year. Not only because of the clocks going back and the impending darkness. Not only because of the horror films shown on TV which this writer personally hates. But because of the sheer amount of waste generated around this one day holiday. 

From the sweet treats at Halloween parties and for trick or treaters, to the costumes we wear once and the pumpkins we toss into the bin. 


Don’t get me wrong, at Lucy & Yak we absolutely love a costume party and the opportunity to turn yourself into someone completely different, but it doesn’t have to come with such an environmental cost. 


In 2023 and in the UK alone, it’s predicted that seven million costumes will be worn once this year and then thrown away, most likely ending up in landfill. In the US, this number rises to around 35 million - truly horrifying stuff. 


Additionally, the sweets consumed at Halloween are more often than not individually wrapped in plastic. In the US, it’s estimated that around half a kilo of waste is generated per trick or treater; when you think about how many are trick or treating globally, that’s a frightening amount of waste. 


But what about the pumpkins we all love getting creative with? While it’s great fun carving out spooky scenes on them, usually they are thrown away into general landfill where they are left to rot and then release methane, a gas more harmful to our environment than carbon dioxide.


But it’s not all doom and gloom as there are so many ways we can enjoy what’s great about Halloween without so much waste.


1. Get creative with your costume! Have a rummage through your wardrobe to find something that you can recreate your favourite characters in. We have loved seeing how our community reinvents their Yaks every year, and this one will be no different. Why not channel your inner Wednesday Addams with your trusty Black Ragan? Or terrify your friends when you rock up as Chucky in your Rainbow Rey? 


2. Rethink your sweet treats. Throwing a Halloween party at work? Why not hold a Halloween bake off to encourage everyone to create their home-made goods, limiting the use of too much plastic. Plus, throw in a game of apple bobbing for good measure and nostalgic fun. 


3. Pumpkins are for eating, not just for carving. When you’re carving your pumpkin masterpiece, keep the pulp to one side and use the rest of the pumpkin once Halloween is over, so that you can use it to create something delicious. Here at Lucy & Yak we are big Bake Off fans, so why not try out these pumpkin rolls which look tasty and incredibly cute, all the while reducing the pumpkins going to waste. Enjoy!


Halloween is a scary time of year. Not only because of the clocks going back and the impending darkness. Not only because of the horror films shown on TV which this writer personally hates. But because of the sheer amount of waste generated around this one day holiday. 

From the sweet treats at Halloween parties and for trick or treaters, to the costumes we wear once and the pumpkins we toss into the bin. 


Don’t get me wrong, at Lucy & Yak we absolutely love a costume party and the opportunity to turn yourself into someone completely different, but it doesn’t have to come with such an environmental cost. 


In 2023 and in the UK alone, it’s predicted that seven million costumes will be worn once this year and then thrown away, most likely ending up in landfill. In the US, this number rises to around 35 million - truly horrifying stuff. 


Additionally, the sweets consumed at Halloween are more often than not individually wrapped in plastic. In the US, it’s estimated that around half a kilo of waste is generated per trick or treater; when you think about how many are trick or treating globally, that’s a frightening amount of waste. 


But what about the pumpkins we all love getting creative with? While it’s great fun carving out spooky scenes on them, usually they are thrown away into general landfill where they are left to rot and then release methane, a gas more harmful to our environment than carbon dioxide.


But it’s not all doom and gloom as there are so many ways we can enjoy what’s great about Halloween without so much waste.


1. Get creative with your costume! Have a rummage through your wardrobe to find something that you can recreate your favourite characters in. We have loved seeing how our community reinvents their Yaks every year, and this one will be no different. Why not channel your inner Wednesday Addams with your trusty Black Ragan? Or terrify your friends when you rock up as Chucky in your Rainbow Rey? 


2. Rethink your sweet treats. Throwing a Halloween party at work? Why not hold a Halloween bake off to encourage everyone to create their home-made goods, limiting the use of too much plastic. Plus, throw in a game of apple bobbing for good measure and nostalgic fun. 


3. Pumpkins are for eating, not just for carving. When you’re carving your pumpkin masterpiece, keep the pulp to one side and use the rest of the pumpkin once Halloween is over, so that you can use it to create something delicious. Here at Lucy & Yak we are big Bake Off fans, so why not try out these pumpkin rolls which look tasty and incredibly cute, all the while reducing the pumpkins going to waste. Enjoy!


Source: https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/halloween-waste/