Scare Away Waste This Halloween

When darkness starts earlier, and pumpkins start popping up on front porches, the spooky season is upon us once again! Halloween is creeping up fast. Dressing up in costumes, hoarding candy and putting up decorations makes it one of the most fun times of year, and is also one of the most wasteful. 

The Blue Bin Halloween Safety Blog is your resource to help you do your part to make Halloween more sustainable with a few simple tricks and treats.

Costumes: Reuse, Swap, Don’t Toss

Many Halloween costumes are worn just once a year and then thrown into the landfill. In a study in the United Kingdom, 40% of costumes were thrown out after one use. 

Instead of buying a new costume, try borrowing or swapping with friends, or shopping at your local thrift store. You could even get creative and put together an outfit with stuff you already own. Once Halloween is over, donate what you can instead of throwing it out.

Give Your Pumpkins New Life

Your jack-o’-lanterns belong in your compost, not your trash or #bluebin, Pumpkins are eatable and make great soups and sweet pastries. This year try drawing on your pumpkins and use the inside of the pumpkin for soup or baking. In the United States, over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are discarded every year!

Make Your Decorations Last

This year, please avoid buying throwaway plastic decorations. Instead, invest in better-quality decorations that will last year after year. In the long run, you’ll be saving money and reducing waste!  If you’re on a budget this Halloween or want to decorate with natural items, try making your own seasonal decorations out of paper, leaves and wood. 

Candy Wrappers

Candy wrappers and other “flexible plastic packaging” (chips, crisp bags, etc.) do not go in your #bluebin. Recycle BC says to collect all candy wrappers, make sure they’re empty and bring them to a Recycle BC Depot or to your local London Drugs.

Here’s a tip: Keep a recyclable bag dedicated to candy wrappers, just like you do for other recyclable items. Once you have eaten all the candy, drop off the candy wrappers at a Recycle BC Depot.

Handle Lighters and Matches Safely 

Lighters and matches can bring your pumpkins to life. Please make sure that you dispose of them safely! Before you toss lighters in the garbage, please make sure they are completely empty of fuel. For matches, soak them in water to be sure they don’t re-ignite.

Fireworks

In most areas, use of fireworks is generally condoned.  However, for some, they are a part of Halloween celebrations. If you do use fireworks, please soak them thoroughly before putting them in your garbage.  They can pose a serious fire risk for our trucks and drivers. Any unused fireworks should be dropped off at your local RCMP or police station. Just make sure to call ahead first!

Choose LED Lights for Your Spooky Setup 

If you’re stringing up lights this Halloween, consider choosing LEDs instead of traditional bulbs. They use up to 75% less energy, last longer and stay cooler. When these strands eventually burn out, you can drop them off at any Recycle BC Depot that accepts small electronics.

Halloween kicks off the season of fun, family and community. We hope you will be environmentally aware and do your best to reduce, reuse and recycle.

For more specific recycling guidelines, call the Recycling Hotline at 604-732-9253 (or 1-800-667-4321), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or visit your local municipal website.

Happy (green) Halloween from the Urban Impact Team!

#RecycleItRight #GreenHalloween2025 #NoTricksJustTreats