The Isle of Wight Council and its waste partner, Veolia, are encouraging Islanders to enjoy a more sustainable Halloween by reducing, reusing and recycling where they can.
From costumes and decorations to pumpkins and party food, Halloween can often create more waste than expected. But a few simple choices can help keep the fun while cutting unnecessary waste.
Council encourages Islanders to waste less
Natasha Dix, Isle of Wight Council’s service director for waste, environment and planning, said,
“Halloween is a great chance to have fun and be creative, but we don’t need to buy lots of new items or create lots of waste.
“By using what we already have, reusing items and avoiding single-use products, we can all reduce the waste we produce.
“We are pleased to work with Veolia to support the Island’s environmental goals. But the best way to deal with waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Small changes at home can make a real difference.”
5 top tips for a more sustainable Halloween on the Isle of Wight
Reuse your costume
Before buying a new costume, check your wardrobe. You could also borrow or swap with friends, or choose a pre-loved costume. If you buy one, keep it to wear again.
Get creative with decorations
Make your own decorations from paper, cardboard and items you already have. Choose decorations that can be used again each year.
Think beyond plastic
Choose face paint instead of plastic masks. Use reusable plates, glasses and cutlery instead of single-use items. For trick-or-treating, use a basket, fabric bag or reusable bucket.
Don’t let your pumpkin go to waste
Use your pumpkin in soups, curries, bakes or cakes. You can also chop, parboil and freeze it for later.
Put any inedible pumpkin waste in your home compost or food caddy.
Food waste is collected every week on the Isle of Wight. It is processed through anaerobic digestion to create electricity and compost or fertiliser.
Residents without a food caddy can order one from the Isle of Wight Council.
Think before you throw
When Halloween is over, check what can be reused or recycled before putting items in the general waste.
Put clean and dry recyclable materials in the correct recycling container. Food waste should go in the food caddy.
Not everything that looks recyclable can go in the recycling. For example, many sweet, crisp and chocolate wrappers cannot currently be recycled through household collections.
For advice on what goes where, residents can use the Council’s online A-Z of recycling and waste.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
