Halloween is just around the corner and true to traditions, we know most will be planning a party or movie night therefore we've prepared some sustainable fancy dress to trick or treating, and everything in-between.
Traditional Halloween decorations and outfits are very wasteful — however, we've compiled a few tricks and treats to a less wasteful event.
Below, we take a look at how you can make your Halloween celebrations more sustainable this year, and for future years to come.
Halloween costumes
Some questions to ask yourself before you buy a brand new costume:
Will it be worn more than once?
Will it fit next year?
Could you make one instead from other items you have at home?
Does the costume from last year still fit?
Could you buy one second-hand instead?
Or if you need a new outfit, can you buy a sustainable item that you can wear over and over
Whether you decide to refashion or rent a costume, there are plenty of options you could try that are less harmful to the planet.
Ergo our idea for a sustainable Halloween - Theme, TV Characters, which one are you?
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
90's super casual, but with a hint of sparkle; Sabrina style is effortless and clearly timeless, much like our style here at M&M. Our favourite would have to be the Emily dress or Amelia with the Jennifer top.
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| Lilly - Pleated Skirt |
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| Macie - Checked Skirt |
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| Kalinda - Strap Top |
Daphne & Velma - Scooby Doo Dress Up
Not your average Velma & Daphne costume, why not change it up a little! No more dowdy Velma; swap a knitted jumper for our upcycled satin dress or a our Chloe top and jeans would make a good crime fighting Daphne.
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| Maddison - Pleated Top |
Rosie - Tunic Dress, Minnie- Linen Panel Skirt, Amara - Sheer Dress
Wednesday & Morticia Addams
The Addams girls are much the same! Have you seen how Christina Ricci broke the internet dresses as Morticia. Below are a few style picks that could do the same. Our Ella dress now comes in black and white trim, which the perfect Wednesday and for a timeless dress our
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| Rosemary - Wrap Dress |
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| Una - Asymmetric Dress |
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| Ella - Jersey Dress |
Making your own decorations
Many Halloween decorations are made on the other side of the world, mainly with plastics and a lot of them are disposed of after the party. To avoid this, you can easily create your own decorations to reduce your impact of the environment
Carving the Jack O’Lantern
There a satisfaction to creating the perfect pumpkin; a masterpiece to scare trick or treaters. It almost becomes a competition of who can create the most gruesome on the street!
It all starts with picking the best pumpkin, so why not support your local farmers? There are loads of pumpkin farmers all around the country who grow pumpkins and many of them will sell directly to the customer. If you have kids this is a great day out as, some might even let you go into the fields and pick your pumpkin!
Remember, buying form the farmer directly, the smaller the carbon footprint. One of the most frightening facts about Halloween is just how much pumpkin waste goes to landfill – an estimated 5 million pumpkins each year in the UK. When there are so many environmentally friendly alternatives, there’s really no reason to throw out your pumpkin.
For instance you could create a soup, or a cake, or even the classic pumpkin pie, there are so many ways you can enjoy your pumpkin! Take a look at BBC Good Food for ideas of pumpkin recipes.
When pumpkins go into landfill, they take a very long time to breakdown, why not try composting your carved pumpkin in the garden. And if you don’t have a compost bin at home, check your local councils’ website for your closest composting site. (make sure you’ve removed any tea lights or candles) and they will be taken away with your weekly collection.
Eco-friendly treats
Looking for alternative treats to give (and eat!), whether it is for your family, friends or the neighbour’s kids who knock on your door saying “trick or treat”, here are a few ideas
Choose candies without animal gelatine or food additives by carefully reading the products’ composition or by buying directly on dedicated websites, for example Approved foods, Planet Organic or Ethical Superstore.
Buy at alternative stores that are proven to lower harm to the planet or buy in, bulk candies in big packaging, instead of individuals to lessen the waste and recycle at dedicated shops that use the packaging to make other products.
Cakes or decorated fruit, instead of sweets or create your own treats; halloween is the perfect time to get creative with food and bake your own Halloween treats.
Even your local farmers markets have organic cakes and treats to supply guest or neighbors.
Wicker baskets all the way! Boo to plastic sweet buckets
Use your imagination when it come to replacing plastic sweet buckets, you could try a wicker basket like Mia Mitchell, from Good Trouble or an inventive pillow case, or one of our tote bags or even use handbag.
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
