Halloween is one of my favourite times of the year: the costumes, the pumpkins, the excuse to eat too many sweets: I love it all!

But it’s also one of those holidays that sneaks up with a lot of waste.

From plastic decorations to single-use costumes, it can all get a bit… scary (and not in a fun way).

Living in Brixton, I love seeing how creative people get with their Halloween setups, from spooky window displays to full-on haunted houses.

We are about to prepare our house for it and it always makes me think: how can we keep that same magic and be a bit kinder to the planet?

So here are a few easy, low-stress ways to have a more sustainable Halloween in London this year, whether you’re going all out or just lighting a pumpkin or two.

1. Decorations That Don’t End Up in the Bin

Plastic cobwebs and glittery bats look fun, but only last about five minutes before shedding microplastics in a waste center. Try this instead:

Go natural — Use autumn leaves, branches, or pinecones from your local park (Brockwell Park is full of inspiration right now).
DIY décor — Old jars can become spooky lanterns, cardboard can turn into tombstones, and string lights give instant haunted-house energy.
Reuse — Keep a little “Halloween box” with decorations you can pull out each year — it becomes part of the tradition.

2. Pumpkins with Purpose

Pumpkin carving is a Halloween non-negotiable! Supermarkets are literally overflowing with pumpkins right now! But what happens to all those pumpkin after? And the inside of the pumpkin? Here’s how to make use of every part of your pumpkin.

Buy local: Yes, supermarkets sell pumpkins, but so do the farmers that grow them. Check out farmers’ markets like Herne Hill or Brockley Market for pumpkins that didn’t travel halfway around the world. Buying from small producers is always a better use of money than giving to the big chains.
Eat the insides! Roast the seeds, make pumpkin soup, or bake muffins. (Seriously, pumpkin muffins are underrated!)
If you want to try something new, here are two fun, culturally interesting recipe using pumpkin, Chilean Sopaipillas and Botswanian Potjie.
(If you need more ideas, check out our All Things Pumpkin workshop in November!)
Compost the outside! Dispose of your pumpkin carcass in your compost bin, or see if a local farm or community garden will take your leftovers.

3. Costumes: Go Creative, Not Fast-Fashion

We all love a dramatic Halloween look, but most costumes are made from cheap polyester and get worn once before heading to landfill. Instead:

Hit the charity shops: Brixton, Streatham, Crystal Palace, and Clapham have some great ones. You can usually find vintage clothes that look even cooler than the packaged costumes.
DIY it: As you know, we at Southstainable are pretty big on DIY. And believe us, once you start doing it, you would love it! So get out the old sheets, scissors, leftover fabric, cardboard boxes, whatever inspire you. It’s amazing what you can create with a bit of imagination!
Swap with friends. Impressed by your friends costume from last year? Ask them if they want to do a little costume swap party before Halloween! It is a great excuse to hang out, have a laugh and save money.

4. Treats (Without the Plastic Trick)

Sweets are essential, but the plastic wrappers? Not so much.

Support local shops — Pick up loose sweets from independent spots or local markets.
Refill when you can — Places like Gather in Peckham and BYO in Tooting have plastic-free treats and baking ingredients if you’re making your own goodies.
Homemade treats — If you’re hosting friends or family, homemade biscuits or toffee apples are always a hit.

5. Keep It Local and Low-Impact

There’s so much happening around London — you don’t have to go far to have fun.

Go for a spooky walk — Check out local Halloween displays or take an evening stroll through the neighbourhood.
Join community events — Lots of local pubs and cafés do Halloween nights or pumpkin carving sessions — it’s a nice way to connect with neighbours.
At home? Dim the lights, light some candles (safely!), and do a scary movie marathon. Low energy, high vibe.

A London Halloween That Feels Good

Halloween doesn’t have to be all or nothing — small changes add up. Whether it’s skipping the plastic decorations, buying your pumpkin locally, or reusing last year’s costume, every little bit helps.

Plus, the more we make sustainability part of our celebrations, the more it just becomes the norm — and that’s something worth haunting about.

If you’ve got your own eco-Halloween tips or favourite local finds, share them on Instagram — tag @Southstainable.london or use #SouthstainableLondon so we can see and feature them!

How to have a More Sustainable Halloween (Without Killing the Vibe)