The scariest part of Halloween
by Heath Massey
How scary? Imagine this: an estimated 7 million Halloween costumes are thrown away annually in the UK (according to this survey), where Halloween spending is around $850 million. In the US, estimated spending on Halloween is set to hit a record $10.1 billion, so it’s likely that 12 times as many costumes will be thrown out this November in the US! Can you visualize 84 million Halloween costumes going to landfills? And 83% of them are polyester (plastic)! Yikes!
So here’s a “feel better” reuse story for Halloween this year…
When Halloween rolls around, Hannah, a high school junior in San Francisco, digs into her thrift-store acquired wardrobe for inspiration.
— “I’m always a very last minute Halloween costume person. But I’Il have a character or something in mind, and l kind of put it together the night before.”
Last year she dressed up as Jesse Pinkman, from the series Breaking Bad. The inspiration was a pair of baggy pants with a woman’s face embroidered on the back pockets. A t-shirt and a beanie completed the costume. Not everyone figured out who she was supposed to be right away, but Hannah wasn’t surprised because she wears those pants regularly, not just on Halloween; they are among her favorite finds.
Hannah started thrifting a few years ago. She and her friends frequent the Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District, where thrift shops have proliferated recently. Some newer stores offer curated collections with higher price tags. But Hannah usually falls back on old favorites like Buffalo Exchange, because “cheap” is one of the main reasons she likes thrifting. She also cites benefits for the environment and the fun of a treasure hunt.
Hannah follows some online fashion influencers and enjoys seeing how they put together outfits creatively. But mostly she does her own thing, which is kind of the point. She shares a funny story, though, about going to the beach one day with a group of friends, and spotting another girl wearing a very familiar, long blue skirt. Sure enough, it was exactly the same as one that Hannah owned. They had each thrifted it independently; one in San Francisco and one in Cloverdale. It wasn’t even a well-known brand. What are the chances?! Now they sometimes wear those skirts on the same day, just for the fun of it.
Speaking of fun, Community Thrift will be putting out their Halloween collection this week. According to Ranita, who works in the clothing department at this much-beloved local thrift store in the Mission, they stash donated Halloween gear all year in their attic and put it out a month or so before the holiday, replenishing the racks every couple of days. The treasure ranges from full costumes to accessories: masks, wigs, hats... Hannah and her friends may be stopping by this year!
(Heath Massey, guest contributor, is the editor of Reuse News)
Upcoming Reuse Events
October 12 : Green Living (+ Repair) Fair
Join us at the SRJC for a Green Living and Repair Fair! We will be fixing textiles, bikes, and small appliances on the main quad at the Santa Rosa Campus along with many other local sustainability organizations.
Halloween Costume Swaps!
Now is the time to find (or host!) a costume swap near you. Mill Valley has one on Friday 10/6.
The San Francisco Public Library is hosting them at several branches:
Do you know of a Halloween Costume swap in the North Bay you’d like to see posted? Interested in helping us host one in your town? reach out!
October 25 - 26 : National Zero Waste Conference
This annual two-day virtual educational and networking event is organized by Zero Waste USA.
Reuse in the News
If you were following the EPA SWIFR grant process Austin, TX got $4 million for a Furniture Reuse Facility
After a last minute endorsement by Apple, California passed a Right to Repair Act!
Speaking of the EPA, they just announced $4.6 billion in competitive grants including for reuse.
Reuse to Amuse
Is the 127 Yard Sale on anyone else’s bucket list? 127 Yard Sale
Let the holiday reuse crafts begin with Halloween Decor…from the simple to the ‘oh my gosh I want to make milk jug skulls’.
