Zero Waste Decor Ideas for a DIY Halloween
Are you ready to make your place of residence clean, green, and boo-tiful? We have a list of eek-o-friendly crafts for you. From tried-and-true pumpkins and spider webs, to ghosts made from scraps and everything between, you’re sure to find an activity that suits your fancy. Read our advice to have your most sustainable Halloween yet.
1. Pumpkins and Gourds
This one is a pure classic. You can find these seasonal favorites most anywhere, from local farms to your closest grocery store. We recommend carving them or leaving them plain (the latter will allow you to utilize them longer), as opposed to painting them. Although channeling your inner Van Gogh or Picasso can be fun, this method eliminates the possibility of composting or feeding your pumpkins to wildlife later. (Want to see our favorite ways to recycle them? Check out our eight favorite tips.) If you’re not into fresh finds, we also love the idea of buying long-lasting wooden or other eco-friendly versions you can decorate and use year after year.
2. Monster Milk Bottles
Think twice before you throw those gallon jugs into your recycling bin! Although we admire your green habits, at this time of year, those same discards can be turned into spooktacular Halloween decorations. After rinsing and drying them, all you’ll need are some markers and a craft knife. Draw ghoulish faces onto the surface, then cut a flap in the back big enough to fit a flameless candle.
3. Scrap Paper Spiders
Want a spookier version of those snowflakes you make in the winter? Follow the easy instructions in this video to make a web. Then, upcycle scraps of yarn and a bottle cap to make an eight-legged spider. Then, draw on a face, glue your creature into its lair, and voila! You’re done. This craft is perfect for front doors, mailboxes, or even inside if you’re hosting a party.
4. Cardboard Tombstones
If there’s one burden we all share in life, it’s that pile of flattened cardboard boxes that grows larger after each online purchase. You’re probably saving them to recycle curbside or at a drop-off location, or even reusing them for your own packages, but take a fun break and transform a handful of them into a fun graveyard. You can paint whatever scary or silly messages you like on them to have the most creative decorations on the block. Just keep in mind that once you slather on that paint, the cardboard will no longer be recyclable. Keep them in a protected area of your yard and you should be able to use them more than once! This activity also works for wood scraps.
5. Upcycled Ghosts & Scarecrows
Make a ghost by stuffing an old towel in a white sheet, then tie it with twine. You can paint on a spooky face if you like, then place it wherever convenient. We love the idea of making several of these and hanging them from a tree. You can also scour your closet for tattered clothing to use for a scarecrow. Stuff it with hay or other scraps, and add a jack-o-lantern head for good measure. Now you’re all set!