The Halloween costume swap aims to reduce textile waste and save people money

During this spooky season, some people are choosing to recycle old costumes to make Halloween more sustainable – and affordable.

Events promoting the exchange, recycling or mending of costumes are popping up in communities across the country, and one expert says they are urgently needed to combat the overconsumption and waste that Halloween inspires each year.

Oana Branzei, a professor of strategy and sustainability at Western University, says Halloween costumes represent “the most harmful form of consumption” because they are typically made of multiple types of polyesters and plastics that are difficult to break down. They are also often marketed as disposable products and end up in landfill after just one use.

“They are made of different materials that are never separated and therefore end up in the… longest-decaying piles,” Branzei said.

A Nova Scotia community is citing its efforts to reduce waste as inspiration for a “Costume Fix ‘n’ Swap” event later this month where people can drop off unwanted Halloween costumes, grab used ones and hire someone to fix damaged ones Repair tricks. Treatment of outfits.

Organizers of the Oct. 19 event in East Hants, north of Halifax, say someone with cosplay experience will also offer advice on making budget-friendly costumes.

“Each year, approximately 30,000 tonnes of textiles are sent to landfill in Nova Scotia. So this event really ensures that some of that is diverted,” said Ciera Robinson, the township’s solid waste officer.

According to the federal government, textiles are the fifth largest type of plastic waste ending up in Canadian landfills. In 2020, around 280 kilotons of synthetic textile products were disposed of. Synthetic textiles are made from materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylic – all common elements in Halloween costumes and decorations.

Rise Consignment, a thrift store in Victoria, is hosting its first-ever Halloween costume swap on Tuesday, with a focus on promoting sustainability. The store charges a $10 fee for the exchange. All proceeds go to a local organization that supports youth.

“I’ve just tried in the past to educate people this time of year about how wasteful Halloween can be and why they don’t need a brand new plastic costume,” said store owner Rylie Tarry, adding that the goal is to “dissuade people from doing it.” “to buy new and shitty things”.

TOKKI, a Toronto-based second-hand clothing store for children, held a seasonal swap meet last week where more than 75 children came to snag a Halloween costume. This was the store’s seventh year hosting a costume swap.

“It’s a great way to easily reuse other children’s things from the previous year,” said TOKKI owner Amanda Newman. “The ability to easily swap out a costume instead of having to purchase one also makes it a more affordable option and perhaps a little less stressful to choose.”

Branzei, a professor at Western University, said she hopes the Halloween costume swap will lead to broader conversations about other forms of waste.

“This is a lever of change that has an immediate impact. The material problems are the costumes, but the underlying problem is our consumption habits,” Branzei said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2024.

Alex Goudge, The Canadian Press