London loves Halloween, from pumpkin patches in Hobbledown to free Halloween in Kensington, it’s one of the most fun times of the year for families. But here’s a spooky secret: our costumes are giving the planet quite a fright.
Every year, people in the UK buy over 7 million Halloween outfits, most made from plastic-based fabrics like polyester and nylon. After just one night of trick-or-treating or a party, many of these costumes are thrown away — adding up to more than 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste (that’s about 83 million plastic bottles!).
Luckily, London’s much-loved charity retailer TRAID is stepping in to help families make Halloween greener — and even more creative.
👻 Shop Second-hand: Each TRAID store across the capital has a special Halloween-themed collection, packed with second-hand treasures and even theatre costumes from the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. Whether your little one wants to be a vampire, witch, or pirate, there’s plenty to spark the imagination — no new plastic needed!
🧵 Get Crafty: Turn old clothes into brilliant new costumes. Add a few spooky accessories or get the kids involved with fabric paints and patches. It’s fun, affordable, and great for half-term creativity.
🕸️ Join in the Fun: TRAID’s Shepherd’s Bush store is hosting family-friendly workshops, including a Halloween Fashion Collage session with artist Elyse Blackshaw (29th October) and a patchwork and embroidery workshop with Nerrisa Pratt (31st October). Both are perfect for kids and parents who love making things together.
As TRAID’s CEO Maria Chenoweth says:
“Halloween should be about creativity, not costly climate damage.”
So this October, let’s make London’s Halloween a little less scary for the planet — and a lot more fun for everyone.