Ghosts, vampires, and witches aren’t the only things making Halloween spooky these days.
The environmental impact of this festive holiday—from food waste to polyester costumes and the endless single-use plastic items like candy wrappers, pails, and costume packaging—casts a truly frightful shadow. Fortunately, this Halloween, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is here to help you and your family celebrate sustainably with eco-conscious tricks and treats that benefit the planet and its wildlife.
The Scary Side of Halloween Waste
Let’s start with candy—an essential part of any Halloween celebration! Unfortunately, the wrappers often leave a troubling footprint on the environment. Most candy wrappers are made from a mix of plastic and aluminum, making them nearly impossible to recycle through standard programs. The amount of waste generated by these tiny wrappers is enormous, and since they can’t be recycled effectively, they often end up in landfills, where they can take decades to break down.
Single-use plastics don’t stop with candy wrappers. Costumes, props, decorations, and treat bags are also big offenders. Polyester costumes, for instance, are essentially made from plastic, contributing to both waste and pollution. Every time we throw away a plastic item, we're adding to a growing problem that harms our environment and the animals living in it.
A Sweet Solution: Candy Wrapper Recycling at the Columbus Zoo
At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we’re taking steps to reduce Halloween waste by offering candy wrapper recycling during our Boo at the Zoo festivities! This year, we’ve set up candy wrapper recycling boxes around Adventure Cove, so you can easily dispose of your wrappers sustainably while trick-or-treating. If you’re anything like us, you probably start munching on your candy before the night is over, so be sure to drop your wrappers in one of our recycling stations as you walk between treat stations.
By participating, you're helping to keep plastic out of landfills and protecting the environment—and that’s the best treat of all!
The Sweet Taste of Sustainability: Choosing Eco-Friendly Candy
Did you know your choice of Halloween candy can also make a difference? Many popular candies are made with palm oil, an ingredient that has been linked to deforestation and habitat destruction in some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. Around 85% of the world’s palm oil is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia, which also happens to be the last remaining habitat for endangered species like orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and elephants.
When buying candy this year, opt for brands that are part of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which promotes ethical and sustainable palm oil production. By choosing these brands, you’re helping reduce the negative impact on the environment and protecting endangered species.
More Tricks for a Green Halloween
If you’re looking to up your sustainability game, here are a few more simple ways to go green this Halloween that are anything but BOO-ring!
- DIY Costumes: Instead of buying a pre-made polyester costume, why not create your own? Check out local thrift stores for costume pieces or consider renting one. Homemade costumes not only reduce waste but are also a fun way to show off your creativity!
- Sustainable Candy Options: Choose candy that comes in recyclable packaging like paper (think Nerds, Milk Duds, or Pixie Stix) or wrapped in aluminum foil (like Hershey’s Kisses or chocolate coins). These options are easier on the environment and still delicious!
- Support Local Farmers: When it comes to pumpkins, buy local! Visit nearby pumpkin patches or farmers markets to support local agriculture and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Reusable Treat Bags: Skip the single-use plastic treat bags and create your own! You can repurpose an old pillowcase, a tote bag, or even a reusable shopping bag. Not only will it last for years, but you’ll also help cut down on plastic waste.
- Eco-Friendly Decorations: Keep your Halloween décor simple and natural. Use items like pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and dried corn stalks to set the spooky mood while avoiding plastic. Reuse old decorations year after year, or craft your own from upcycled materials.
- Natural Face Paint: Halloween face paint can contain harmful chemicals and plastics like PVC. Opt for natural, non-toxic alternatives to avoid exposure to unnecessary chemicals and reduce the demand for plastic-based products.
This Halloween, Protect the Planet and Wildlife
While Halloween is all about fun and frights, we can all do our part to keep the spooky season from being scary for the planet. By making small, thoughtful changes—like recycling candy wrappers at the Zoo, choosing sustainable palm-oil products, and opting for eco-friendly costumes and decorations—you can help reduce waste and preserve the environment for wildlife and future generations.
Let’s make this Halloween a green one, and enjoy a celebration that’s as kind to the earth as it is spooky!
Happy (and sustainable) trick-or-treating!
Attend Boo at the Zoo this October
