After the trick-or-treaters have all gone home and the sugar high subsides, it’s time to look around at all the costumes and decor and ask yourself: will I use this next year? Halloween is one of the biggest commercial holidays with money spent on candy, costumes, and decorations. Most of these items can be reused in some way. Here’s how you can help make the season a little less scary—for your wallet and the environment—by recycling Halloween costumes and decor.

Recycling Halloween Costumes

How many Halloween costumes are currently stuffing your closet? Do you think you’ll wear it again? Many people don’t. Between costumes for kids, adults, and pets, there’s a lot of textile trash that ends up in landfills. And all that polyester and nylon is not biodegradable. 

When buying a costume, consider what can be used again. Kids may outgrow their outfit, and some more popular costumes may not be trending next year, but think about how you could possibly repurpose pieces. Also think about creating your own costume from thrift store finds. It takes more creativity, but could be a fun family project and is better for the environment. 

If it’s decided the look has got to go, think about donating it to a friend or local thrift store. Give another family the chance to resurrect the once-worn costume year after year.

Upcycling Halloween Decor

In the last year, there were some people repurposing their giant skeleton decorations by dressing them up for other holidays. This is one way to get your money’s worth and create a memorable display. Other decor, like lights, can be used throughout the year, but other materials, like faux webs and streamers tend to end up in the trash. 

When you’re shopping for decor, think about the reusability of the items in your cart. A recyclable item is better for your wallet and the environment. Even if you store the item for a year, if you don’t end up using it the following year, think about donating it instead of tossing it in the trash. 

Recycling Doesn’t Have to be Scary

If your seasonal storage is bursting from the closet or filling up the attic, who you gonna call? JDog Junk Removal & Hauling. It’s our mission to keep as much as possible out of the landfill. Our company is committed to environmental responsibility, and we make every effort to donate or recycle your old items. If we find something isn’t reusable or recyclable, we dispose of it in a responsible manner in order to lessen our carbon footprint. Call us today at 844-GET-JDOG to schedule a pickup.