Fancy dress

Every year in the UK, an estimated 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste – the equivalent of 83 million bottles – comes from throwaway Halloween costumes sold by major retailers. Here are some simple ways to cut that waste this year:

Reuse What You Have

The most sustainable costume is the one already in your wardrobe. Reusing clothes prevents extra items from being bought and binned. With a little creativity, everyday items can be transformed into great outfits. Cardboard boxes become a rocket for an astronaut, or an old bedsheet makes a perfect ghost.

Need inspiration? Check out Hubbub’s DIY costume ideas here.

👻 The Halloween Costume Swap is Back! 👻

🎃 3rd September – 15th October
➡️ Donate a costume to any county library

🎃 15th October – 3rd November
➡️ Swap your old costume for a new one

✅ Accessories, whole and part costumes accepted
✅ Donations welcome throughout the swap
✅ Both adult and child costumes included
✅ No costume to swap? No problem, you can still take one home.

👉 Discover more at our Gloucestershire libraries Facebook page.

Buy Second-Hand

If swapping isn’t an option, try your local charity shops before buying new. They’re packed with hidden gems, from vintage pieces to accessories that can help you build a creative DIY costume. It’s cheaper, more sustainable, and helps support local charities too.

♻️Tip: If you’re not sure how to recycle parts of your costume after Halloween, check Waste Wizard for guidance.