Halloween is a time for traditional festivities and delightful celebrations, but it can also be an opportunity to consider the environmental impact. While many of us try to be eco-friendly by choosing recyclable Halloween costumes or participating in a costume swap, we often don’t think about how much waste goes into the decorations. With that in mind, here are some eco-friendly Halloween decorations ideas that you can use to celebrate this special occasion sustainably.
Whether you’re looking for easy DIY projects or ready-made decor options, there are plenty of ways to go green this Halloween. Some ideas include using natural materials like pumpkins and leaves for festive displays, incorporating recycled or upcycled materials into your decorations, and even choosing LED lights instead of traditional incandescent bulbs.
You can help the environment and also create ethereal decorations for your home if you celebrate Halloween sustainably. What’s not to enjoy about that? Whether you go big or keep it simple, “greening” your Halloween is a great way to cut down on your carbon footprint while still filling your house with seasonal cheer.
15 reusable and sustainable Halloween decor ideas
We’ve compiled a few eco-friendly Halloween ideas for home decor for you. Most, if not all, of the supplies can be easily found around your home and they’re recyclable, reusable, and eco-friendly!
1. Spooky yarn webs
We know that spider webs are a classic motif of the Halloween season. However, store-bought spiderwebs are often made from non-biodegradable synthetic materials. They’re not only expensive but they are also hazardous to the environment. Although you could make one from scratch, there are organic spider webs are available for purchase on Amazon.
Creating spooky yarn spider webs is an easy and fun way to avoid waste. All you need is some yarn, tape, and scissors. Simply start by taping one end of the yarn to the wall or ceiling. Then make a big X with the yarn, and continue making crisscross lines until you have created a web. You can then tape the other end of the yarn to another object to keep it in place.
Finally, cut a long strand of yarn and make a ring with a simple loop knot. Take the strand around to each “spoke” of the web and simply loop it around. No need to waste time tying knots – this is quick and easy! When you get back around to the beginning, tie the end with a knot and cut off the excess. Repeat for each ring of the web. And that’s it! You now have a spooky, low-waste, eco-friendly decoration for Halloween.
2. Felt and wool garlands
Garlands are a classic way to arrange your home for any season or holiday. They are also an easy and inexpensive way to save money on decorations. You can make any shape out of felting pieces and attach them to a woolen strand to make a garland. If you want to get creative, you could add googly eyes to the ghosts or paint them in different colors. You could also buy an eco-friendly ghost and pumpkin garland from Amazon.
3. Garbage bag spiders
What’s more sustainable than reusing materials you would normally throw away? This Halloween, try making your own trash bag spider! All you need are some biodegradable trash bags, red paper cups, duct tape, newspapers, and black paint. Create the body of your spider by crumpling and stuffing newspaper into a trash bag. Make sure to leave sufficient space for the head. Continue to stuff the head after twisting the bag. Next, make the spiders’ legs roll up large pieces of newspaper and paint them black. Finally, use the red cups as the spider’s eyes and you’re all set!
This is a perfect activity to do with kids since it’s both fun and more sustainable than traditional Halloween decorations.
4. Toilet paper roll bats
Making a DIY black bat out of a toilet paper roll is an exemplary way to promote a more sustainable Halloween celebration! All you need is a toilet paper roll (preferably an eco-friendly one), black paint, a pair of googly eyes, black paper, and glue or tape. Glue the toilet paper to the center of the wings and paint it black. Once the paint is dry, add two green googly eyes.
These black bats are an excellent eco-friendly decoration and are safe for kids to make; since its non-toxic paint. So get creative and have fun making these spooky bats!
5. Burlap sacks and old sheets
Looking for an eco-friendly and unique way to ornament your home for Halloween? Why not upcycle some old sheets and coffee sacks into spooky monsters and creatures? If you don’t have any old sheets or coffee sacks, you can easily find them at your local thrift store. Simply cut the sheets into different shapes and sew or glue them onto the coffee sacks. You can even stuff the coffee sacks with old newspaper or fabric scraps to give your monsters some extra dimension.
Once you’ve finished creating your monsters, you can display them around your home as part of your Halloween decorations.
You can do the same with old sheets, or simply throw them around your home for a creepy Halloween aesthetic. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy a festive holiday without spending a lot of money or creating waste.
6. Bottle candle holders
Rummage through your recycling bin to find glass bottles. Now, repurpose these bottles and use them as candle holders. You can either leave them clear or embellish them with paint and stickers. Then, simply place them on your dining room table for a spooky yet sophisticated look. Not only will you save money by using items that you already have, but you’ll also contribute to reducing waste.
7. Eco-friendly Halloween candy
A large source of waste during Halloween is candy wrappers and plastic packaging. Every year, millions of pounds of candy wrappers end up in landfill sites.
To reduce this waste, consider making your candy using recipes that call for sustainable ingredients. Many delicious candy recipes use milk duds, for example. These milk duds consist of sustainable palm oil, fair trade cocoa, and organic milk. Alternatively, you could make candy bars using Fair Trade chocolate, sugar, and palm oil-free caramel.
DIY candies can help avoid the plastic packaging of store-bought candy. You can put your candy in recycled candy wrappers or a reusable container.
You can also opt for healthy trick-or-treating alternatives like candy apples, crayons, or mini notebooks. Whatever route you choose, there are plenty of ways to make your Halloween celebrations a little more green.
8. Old furniture display
Many people enjoy decorating their homes for Halloween. However, prefer to avoid investing in new decorations every year. A great way to save money and still create a festive atmosphere is to use old furniture to create a Halloween aesthetic in your home. Here are some great ideas:
- An old bookshelf can be turned into a spooky graveyard display. Just add some gravestones made from old cardboard boxes, some DIY spiders, and some cobwebs.
- An old dresser can be transformed into a card catalog for a haunted library. Add some old book pages, spiderwebs, and candles.
- An old hope chest can be turned into a coffin. Just cover it with black fabric, add some fake snakes or spiders, and you’re good to go!
Repurposing your old furniture as Halloween decoration is a fantastic way to save money and help the environment!
9. Beeswax candles
As much as we love the smell of a pumpkin spice candle wafting through the dining room while we host Halloween dinner, did you know that most scented candles are made with paraffin? And when paraffin burns, it releases carcinogens like acetone, benzene, and toluene into the air.
So how can we enjoy the ambiance of a flickering candle without polluting the air in our homes? Look for beeswax candles instead. Beeswax candles produce little to no soot when burned and don’t release any harmful chemicals into the air. They also burn slowly and evenly, so you’ll get more use out of them than a paraffin candle.
In addition, these candles have a natural honey scent which can add to the ambiance of your dining room table on Halloween night. Switching to natural wax candles is an easy way to have a more sustainable Halloween.
10. Pumpkins from a local pumpkin patch
One of the best parts about Halloween is carving pumpkins-carve them into jack-o-lanterns, and placing them on their porches or in their yards.
However, instead of heading to the grocery store to pick up a few, consider visiting a local pumpkin patch instead. Not only will you be supporting your community, but you’ll also be able to find the perfect pumpkins for carving. and once you’re done carving, don’t throw away the insides! use them to make a delicious pumpkin pie or roast the pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.
11. Mason jar lanterns
With eco-friendly Halloween becoming more popular each year, many people are looking for ways to reduce their reliance on store-bought decorations. One easy and inexpensive way to do this is to make your own mason jar lanterns. You can cover the jars partially with cotton yarn and put an organic wax candle inside for a natural look, or you can paint paper red and paste it on the jars to give them a spooky effect. Either way, these lanterns are sure to add some extra atmosphere to your Halloween night. Best of all, these glass jars can be easily hung on trees or placed around your yard, making them a great way to recycle items you already have.
12. Tin jack-o-lanterns
Jack o lanterns are a staple of Halloween décor, but carving Pumpkins can be a lot of work. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and easy alternative, try repurposing some tin cans! With a few simple steps, you can turn your tin cans into spooky jack-o-lanterns that are perfect for your Halloween celebrations.
To get started, simply use your marker or pen to draw a face on the front of each tin can. Then, use your knife or scissors to cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth. Once your jack-o-lanterns are complete, simply place a candle or light inside and enjoy! eco-friendly Halloween is simple and fun for the whole family.
13. Recycled cardboard haunted house
Start by selecting several large cardboard boxes that are roughly the same size and shape, such as old shipping boxes or packing crates.
Cut each box into smaller pieces, using scissors or a utility knife, to create the individual walls and rooms of your haunted house. Be sure to leave flaps on each piece that can be used to decorate and connect the different sections.
Look around your home for other recycled things that you can use for enhancing your haunted mansions, such as old fabric scraps, empty plastic bottles, or discarded packaging materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
Finally, add some small details inside your haunted house to make it look even more realistic, such as cobwebs spun from yarn or string, toy skeletons hanging from the ceiling, or miniature Halloween lights wrapped around door frames and windowsills. Display your finished cardboard box haunted house on your front porch during Halloween for an eco-friendly and festive decoration!
14. Egg carton monsters.
To make egg carton monsters for a sustainable Halloween decor, you will need some recycled items such as old newspapers, old cardboard boxes, and egg cartons. You will also need some nontoxic paint and other craft supplies like glue, scissors, and markers.
First, start by cutting the egg cartons into various shapes to create the monster bodies. You can use different colors for different parts of the monster to give it a spooky effect. Next, decorate your egg carton monsters using paint or other craft materials like stick-on eyes and felt stickers.
Once your egg carton monsters are complete, you can either use them as decorations around your place or take them out trick or treating on Halloween night. They are a great way to create fun and festive decorations using low-waste materials that are better for the environment and safer for your little ones.
15. Recycled chicken wire skeleton
Hang up this chicken wire skeleton on your front porch or inside your home on Halloween night for a festive and eco-friendly way to celebrate the holiday!
Begin by gathering some chicken wire and a pair of wire cutters. Cut the wire into long strips that are about 2-3 feet in length and roughly 4-6 inches in width.
Next, create your skeleton shape by weaving the chicken wire strips in and out of each other, forming a sort of human or animal silhouette. Once you have created your desired shape, bend the edges of the chicken wire to secure it.
Now, you will need to paint your skeleton with a non-toxic black paint that glows in the dark once it is fully dry. You can also add other spooky Halloween decorations like skulls or spiders to really give your recycled skeleton an eerie vibe!