Spooktacular Sustainability: Why You Should Reuse, Repair and Rethink Your Halloween

We’ll freely admit that at We Are Repairs, we are not fans of Halloween – it’s an overconsumption nightmare that’s sold to generate profits for large companies. But just because we don’t partake in it doesn’t mean that it can’t be a fun time of year for those who do. From ghoulish gatherings to trick-or-treating with the kids, for many people, it is one of the most creative and playful times of the year.

But we can’t ignore the fact that, amid all the cobwebs and sweets, there’s a darker side to Halloween that’s often overlooked – the environmental impact of our costumes and decorations.

The scary truth behind cheap costumes

Each October, millions of Brits buy new Halloween outfits, most of which are made from cheap plastic-based materials like polyester and PVC. According to research by Hubbub, around 83% of Halloween costumes contain oil-based plastic, and an estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated from outfits worn just once.

That’s the equivalent of 83 million plastic bottles – a truly terrifying statistic.

And that doesn’t even mention the safety aspect of draping your children in all that plastic – the horrific accident of Claudia Winkleman’s daughter catching fire whilst wearing a supermarket witches costume ten years ago is a stark reminder of that.

And let’s be honest: those £10 supermarket costumes rarely last beyond one night of spooky fun. They rip, stretch, or simply get tossed aside the next morning, destined for landfill.

Why reuse and repair makes sense

This year, why not give your Halloween a sustainable twist? Reusing, repairing, or creating your own costume isn’t just better for the planet – it’s often cheaper, more original, and a lot more fun.

Here’s how you can make it happen:

🧵 1. Raid your wardrobe (or someone else’s!)

Before hitting the shops, see what you already have. An old black dress can become a witch’s outfit, a torn shirt can make a convincing zombie look and a bit of face paint can transform anyone into a ghastly ghoul.

🪡 2. Repair and refresh

If last year’s costume has seen better days, don’t bin it! A few stitches, a patch here or there, or a creative rework can breathe new life into it. Find a repairer to help you fix it or have a go yourself – Halloween is not about perfection.

👻 3. Host a costume swap

Gather friends, neighbours, or colleagues and host a Halloween costume swap. It’s a fun way to refresh your look without buying new and you might just pick up a killer outfit in the process.

♻️ 4. Get crafty with upcycling

Old bedsheets become ghost costumes, cardboard boxes turn into robot armour, and leftover fabric can be cut into capes. Get the kids involved too – they’ll love creating something unique. Kids especially love designing their own outfits and it’s a great way to show them how fun sustainability can be.

🎃 5. Say no to plastic Halloween homewares

It’s not just costumes that cause waste; Halloween decorations do too. Every year, shops are packed with cheap plastic pumpkins, fake cobwebs, and light-up skulls that end up in the bin once the party’s over.

Instead, try:

• Real pumpkins – carve them for decoration, use the pumpkin you scoop out to make a yummy dinner, roast the seeds to eat as a snack and then compost the remains.

• Paper bunting and garlands – recyclable, reusable, and easily homemade.

• Natural décor – autumn leaves, branches, candles in old jars and fabric tablecloths can all create a beautifully eerie atmosphere without the plastic waste.

• DIY decorations – cut-out bats from old cereal boxes, painted jam jars for lanterns or upcycled glass bottles as potion props.

And if you must buy decorations, make sure it’s something you love that you’ll store away and use again next year – the key here is avoiding the single-use decorations that end up in landfill once November comes around.

The bonus: originality and pride

When you make or reuse your costume and home decor, you’re guaranteed to have something unique. No more bumping into three identical skeletons at the Halloween party – your handmade, eco-friendly outfit will stand out for all the right reasons.

Small changes, big impact

By rethinking how we celebrate, from our costumes to our decorations, and choosing to reuse, repair, or rework, we can make Halloween a time of creativity, not consumption. Choosing sustainable Halloween costumes and decorations helps reduce plastic waste, save money, and inspire others to do the same. Sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing fun – in fact, it can make your Halloween even more creative and memorable.

So, before you click “Buy Now” on that shiny new polyester vampire cape or light-up pumpkin, pause for a moment. Look around your home, open the wardrobe, dig through your drawers, and see what eerily good outfits are waiting to rise from the (costume) grave again. Chances are, almost everything you need for a hauntingly good Halloween is already in your home.

Because the best Halloween doesn’t cost the Earth – and that’s a trick worth treating yourself to (and yes…we are proud of all the puns we’ve managed to fit into this last couple of paragraphs!)