Tricks and Treats: What to Do with Halloween Waste 

Halloween is all about costumes, candy, and decorations. But once the night is over, the question becomes: what do you do with all the leftovers? From candy wrappers to fake cobwebs, not everything belongs in your recycling bin. Here is a quick guide to help you keep the fun going while keeping waste out of the wrong place. 

Candy Wrappers: Are They Recyclable? 

Candy wrappers cannot go in your recycling bin. Most are made from a mix of plastic and foil layers that cannot be separated at recycling facilities. These thin materials are also too small and flexible to be sorted properly. Toss wrappers in the trash so they don’t cause issues in the recycling.  

Halloween Decorations: What Stays and What Goes 

Some of the most popular spooky decorations can cause problems with recycling systems. 

• Fake cobwebs, spooky clouds, and fluffy decorations: These cannot be recycled and should go in the trash. They get tangled easily in recycling machinery and can cause jams or injuries to workers.  

• String lights: Do not put string lights in your recycling bin. They are a tangler that wraps around machinery. Check with local facilities for drop-off recycling options. 

• Pumpkins: If unpainted and not coated in glitter, pumpkins can be composted. They are organic material and will break down naturally. If painted or glittered, they belong in the trash. 

• Paper decorations: Paper banners, cardboard cutouts, and paper treat bags can usually be recycled if they are empty and dry. 

Quickly find out what is recyclable in your community by visiting RecycleOn.org/Oregon. Here you can locate your closest RecycleOn Center for drop-off recycling programs and find out what is accepted in your local recycling program. 

Costumes and Party Waste 

• Costumes: Many costumes are made from mixed fabrics that cannot be recycled in your bin at home. Consider saving them for next year, swapping them with friends, or donating if they are still in good condition. 

• Plastic buckets and accessories: Plastic trick-or-treat buckets can be reused year after year. If cracked, check RecycleOn.org/Oregon to see if your local recycling program accepts rigid plastics before throwing them away. 

A Greener Halloween 

A little planning can make a big difference when it comes to reducing Halloween waste. Choose decorations you can reuse year after year, skip single-use items, and compost your pumpkins once the celebrations are over. If you are updating costumes or props, look for ways to swap or donate them instead of throwing them away. Use reusable trick-or-treat bags instead of single-use ones.  

Together we can make this Halloween a little cleaner, a little greener, and just as fun.