One Holiday, So Much Waste
One Holiday, So Much Waste
By Emily DeSanto — October 27 2026
‘Tis the season of overconsumption. With Halloween around the corner, many people are planning, or already have, their Halloween costumes. Once, just one costume was enough; now there is pressure to have multiple.
Millions of costumes go to waste after Halloween, ending up in a landfill contributing to environmental pollution. Fast-fashion pieces prioritize quantity over quality. Made and sold cheaply, these synthetic garments take years to break down.
Every year, environmental harm from Halloween increases, but the excitement of picking a costume makes it go unnoticed. As soon as October starts, social media platforms flood with posts from influencers in their costumes.
Many people, especially young adults, are buying multiple costumes for various reasons. Social media has created a fear of posting the same outfit twice, and this applies to Halloween costumes as well. Instead of wearing the same costume all weekend, it feels necessary to have a new, different one for every Halloween event.
With multiple costumes, the most ethical choice is to use pieces you already own. Another option is to invest in better-quality pieces you can rewear later.
Costumes made with good judgment consist of timeless pieces tied together with accessories. These pieces can be sourced from your closet, thrifted, or even borrowed from a friend. Ditch costumes that make you buy multiple poor-quality pieces you will never wear again after Halloween.
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