As we approach Halloween night, I’m sure we’re all getting excited to celebrate. However, while I’m equally as excited, I can’t help but think about how Halloween creates a lot of waste. From once worn costumes, to candy wrappers, to rotting porch pumpkins, everything accumulates. Instead of watching as this holiday passes by, I wanted to share my thoughts on how we can all be a little more sustainable this year.
Costumes. If you’re like me, you have maybe one costume for all of Hallo-weekend. But if you’re like most of the college students I know, you have two to three planned out. While dressing up for Halloween is fun, it’s important to be mindful of what clothes you already own. Buying an entire outfit just to wear it for one night and then toss or donate it is not great. Before you checkout on Amazon, check with your friends. We’ve all got clothes, and I’m sure your friends would be more than happy to let you borrow something for the night. I personally have a cowboy hat if anybody needs it. If your friends don’t have anything you can borrow, look at a thrift store. We’ve got Thriftsburgh right on campus; you could swing by between classes. What’s Good is a store on S Craig street, another easily walkable place to check out. Goodwills are also located in East Liberty and South Side, and I know you have a free bus pass. There are so many alternatives to fast fashion and contributing to clothing waste, get creative this Halloween!
I know we all love to carve pumpkins. I know we all hate dealing with the mess of carving pumpkins. But wait! Before you toss those seeds and guts, consider giving them a second life. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a pretty easy snack to make, and you can enjoy them yourself or share with your friends. After removing the seeds from your pumpkin, give them a rinse and pat them dry. Then toss them in oil and add your favorite seasonings. Lay them out in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. See? That’s like maybe 4 steps and you’re saving your seeds from the garbage. Along with the seeds, you’ve probably got the slimy pumpkin guts sitting in a bowl somewhere. While they may not seem very enticing, hear me out. You can make muffins, pasta dishes, hummus, ice cream, cheesecake bars, etc. The possibilities are endless! Save your pumpkin guts and try out a new recipe all at once!
This Halloween season we can all try to be a little more mindful of the waste we create and the ways in which it affects the world we live in. I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips and I hope everyone has a very happy Halloween!