Halloween Waste is Spooky: How to Craft a Sustainable Costume

Zombies and vampires aren’t the only Halloween fright. The amount of waste generated by a single-use costume is enough to give a ghoul a jump scare. 

Read on to learn how you can reduce your Halloween footprint and level up your costume game. 

The Problem with Halloween Waste 

In 2024 alone, American shoppers spent $3.8 billion on Halloween costumes.  

When the holiday is over, thousands of superhero suits and accessories end up in the landfill. 

Most Halloween costumes are made of non-recyclable plastic. These synthetic costumes can take decades to break down as they leach chemicals into the natural environment. 

Rent a Costume 

You don’t need new threads to craft a great costume. 

There are several costume shops around San Diego where you can rent one for the day. Look here on WasteFreeSD.org to find a location near you. 

Participate in a Costume Drive 

Do you have costumes of the past buried in the back of your closet? 

You can organize a costume drive in your community or search for one near you. You can also participate in I Love A Clean San Diego’s costume drive.  

Bring a costume into our office, and we will get it back into the community through one of our swaps. Attend the Spring Valley swap to find yourself a new costume. 

Thrift and DIY 

Thrift stores receive a surplus of Halloween inventory this time of year. Check out your local thrift for accessories, costumes and props. 

Previously owned overalls, a white shirt or leather pants can be a great costume staple. Think Minions, a character from Grease or even a scarecrow with a fun hat. 

If you do buy new, opt for pieces you will wear again and natural fibers. Organic cotton, hemp and silk options leave less impact on the environment. 

What to Do with your Costume After Halloween 

Once Halloween is over, don’t let your perfectly good costume go to waste. Repurpose it as a new everyday piece in your wardrobe, bring it to a donation center or pass it down to a friend. 

For many of us, Halloween is an iconic and joyful holiday. Follow these tips to transform this holiday into a sustainable celebration for everyone. 

Over 100,000 Pounds of Litter & Debris Cleared at San Diego Coastal Cleanup Day

SAN DIEGO — On Saturday, Sept. 19, 4,029 San Diegans joined I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) at 92 cleanup sites across the county for the 42nd annual Coastal Cleanup Day. 

With all sites reported totals, an estimated 103,688 pounds of litter and debris were removed from San Diego communities, preventing waste from polluting local waterways and the Pacific Ocean.

About the Cleanup 

Volunteers gathered at 9 a.m. across the county’s beaches, canyons, rivers, and parks.  

Volunteers used grabbers and gloves to clear litter before it could travel through storm drains to the coast. At select sites, volunteers focused on removing invasive species from the environment. 

“Litter is the sixth most talked about thing in the country. And there’s good news,” said Steve Morris, ILACSD executive director. “Based on the last litter study (from Keep America Beautiful), litter is down 34% across America. That tells me this is a solvable problem. We can reduce the amount of litter in our environment.”  

Volunteers tracked and recorded each piece of litter they collected. The California Coastal Commission funnels this data into the world’s largest marine database which helps guide international environmental priorities. 

Cigarette butts, plastic bottle caps, and food wrappers were among the most collected items. Odd items found today include a foot massager, a sofa cushion and flippers. 

Kickoff Site 

ILACSD’s cleanup kickoff site was located at Pepper Park in National City. 

It included booths from iHeartRadio, Toyota, Haul Away Any Day, SDG&E, Project Clean Water SD, San Diego Community Power, the Cigarette Surfboard and Bank of America. Ben and Jerry’s gave away free ice cream. 

Ocean Connectors offered volunteers the chance to use kayaks to pick up litter in the water. Total litter collected from the water was 242 pounds. 

ILACSD’s Coastal Cleanup Day Involvement 

ILACSD has been the official organizer of Coastal Cleanup Day in San Diego County since its inception in 1985. Over the past 42 years, more than 270,000 volunteers have removed over 5 million pounds of litter from local outdoor spaces.  

Coastal Cleanup Day aligns with the global International Coastal Cleanup, which mobilizes millions of volunteers across more than 150 countries to tackle plastic pollution and protect ocean health. 

Local Sponsors 

Coastal Cleanup Day is supported locally by Gold Sponsors: Niagara Cares, SDG&E, Cox Communications, County of San Diego, Wells Fargo, Northrop Grumman, PNC Bank, Project Clean Water, and Bank of America.

Propane Tanks to Food Scraps: Disposing Summer BBQ Waste 

San Diego’s hot summer days call for family gatherings and outdoors feasts, but with the festivities come extra waste. From plastic cups to propane tanks, leftover supplies from your summer get-together can have a negative environmental impact. We created a guide to help you understand barbecue waste and how to dispose of it.  

Food waste  

What’s a summer cookout without hotdogs, hamburgers and a refreshing slice of watermelon?  

To limit food waste and excessive leftovers, plan your meal ahead of time. Take food scraps home and toss them in your compost bin.  

Recyclables  

The most common recyclable items you’ll find are glass bottles and aluminum cans. Both can go right into your blue bin.  

Other plastics are trickier to recycle. Grocery bags and hotdog bun bags cannot go in your standard curbside bin. However, you can drop them off at certain retailers across the county to be recycled properly. (Pro tip: go to Waste Free SD and search for “plastic bags and film” to find a collection spot near you)  

Red Solo cups are made from #6 plastic and cannot be recycled in your curbside bin. Go for a reusable option if you can or find a place to drop them off for recycling here. If you find yourself at a party with this classic cup, just know it has to go into the waste bin.  

Household Hazardous Waste  

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) are products that can be toxic to humans and the environment. They require special disposal methods.  

Barbeques generate dangerous waste, but you can help ensure the safety of your family and waste haulers by identifying hazardous items and knowing how to dispose of them.  

Lighter fluid and propane tanks are both highly flammable and dangerous. Grill cleaners are often made with petroleum-based or chemical solvents that are toxic for local environments and people.  

Waste Free SD features resources San Diegans need to dispose of holiday hazardous waste. Visit the website and enter your zip code to find your closest HHW facility.  

Keep San Diego clean beyond the celebrations  

There’s a reason so many people spend their summer days outside in San Diego. In between San Diego’s sunsets and beautiful weather, there’s a lot to celebrate.  

It’s up to us all to make mindful choices and keep our natural environment clean and beautiful. Use this guide to prevent harmful material from entering our environment during your summer barbecue and beyond.