How to Shop Second hand Halloween Costumes

Each October, many of us notice Halloween creeping back, the decorations, the costumes, the themed events. Some of you might join in the fun, others may not celebrate at all. But whether you love it or simply observe it from the sidelines, it’s hard to miss how big it has become, and how much waste it now creates. Here’s a closer look at how widespread Halloween really is, what impact it has on the planet, and a few ways to enjoy it more consciously, especially if you’re planning to dress up.

How many people celebrate, and how much is spent

• According to one survey, 69% of Americans say they celebrate Halloween in some form (costumes, trick-or-treating, decorations).

• Another source indicates 94% of Americans plan to share candy during the Halloween season.

• A major report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) projected that in one recent year, Halloween spending in the U.S. would reach $12.2 billion, with costumes accounting for $4.1 billion of that.

• On the global front, though data is patchy, one summary noted that in the U.S. around 175 million people plan to participate in Halloween festivities in a given year.

These figures show just how mainstream the holiday has become in the USA and beyond, and that it is a significant cultural and economic event.

Environmental issues: The hidden cost of costuming

The fun of Halloween comes with serious waste and environmental implications:

• A study by the Hubbub Foundation found that 83% of Halloween costume materials are based on non-recyclable oil-based plastics, meaning many pieces are effectively destined for landfill.

• Another report notes that each year in the U.S., more than 5.4 million kilograms of clothing waste are generated from Halloween costumes alone.

• Costumes are often single-use or few-use items. As the Fairyland Trust survey remarks, nearly 85% of Halloween costumes end up in a landfill.

• With cheap materials, large volumes and limited reuse, Halloween is increasingly seen as a “throw-away” holiday in material terms.

The takeaway: if we’re going to keep enjoying the fun of dressing up, we also need to ask. How many of these costumes are reused? Where do they go afterwards?

3 Tips to Reduce Your Footprint for Halloween

Here are three accessible ways to make your Halloween more sustainable, while still having fun:

1. Buy second-hand first
   Instead of purchasing a brand-new costume made of virgin materials, check out pre-loved options. Good second-hand finds reduce demand for new production, slow waste, and often cost less.

   • Example: reuse a wardrobe item, alter a vintage piece, or dig through a thrift store for something you can style.

   • Not only is it more eco-friendly, but second-hand finds can often be more creative and unique.

2. Repair, repurpose, reuse
   If you already own a costume (or part of one) from previous years, great! Make it last another round. If you’re buying something new, aim for quality materials you can wear again (beyond just one night). Think accessories you can reuse (hats, capes) rather than one-off full costumes.

   • Consider renting a costume or swapping with friends.

   • After Halloween, donate or list your costume so someone else can use it next year.

3. Choose thoughtfully if buying new
   If you do buy new, pick better materials (organic fibres, recycled fabric) and treat the costume as an item to reuse, not trash. Avoid the ultra‐cheap plastics that will degrade immediately and end up in landfill.

   • Consider buying items that are multipurpose (e.g., a jacket that can be worn later) rather than a one-night novelty.

   • At the very least, commit to reusing it or passing it on.

Platforms with special filters for Halloween and second-hand costume shopping

Here are platforms where you can shop or sell second-hand Halloween costumes (or filter specifically for them):

• Sellpy (Sweden and beyond) — They have a dedicated “Halloween” store/section where you can filter second‐hand costumes and accessories.

• Tradera (Sweden) — Swedish circular marketplace; you can browse the “Maskeradkläder” (costumes) category among second-hand listings.

• Other platforms to consider (not necessarily with dedicated Halloween filters but strong second-hand communities): e.g., Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, local thrift websites.

  • Tip: On any second‐hand site, try searching terms like “Halloween”, “kostym”, “maskerad” + size filters and condition filters.

Happy Halloween

Halloween doesn’t have to mean excess. With a bit of planning, creativity and a second-hand mindset, you can enjoy the fun of dressing up, while also reducing waste, avoiding one-night outfits and supporting circular consumption. Whether you thrift late summer, swap with friends or buy intentionally, your costume can be part of the solution, not the problem.

Happy (and sustainable) haunting!