Spooky Season with a Sustainable Twist: Climate Teachings for Halloween

1. The Tale of the Pumpkin’s Journey

Pumpkins are the stars of Halloween – but did you know that more than 18,000 tonnes of pumpkin waste are thrown away in the UK every year? That’s the same weight as 1,500 double-decker buses! Turn this into a classroom discussion about food waste and composting. Children can explore how pumpkins grow, why reducing food waste matters, and what happens to organic waste when it breaks down naturally. Encourage them to think about creative ways to reuse their pumpkins after Halloween — from cooking pumpkin soup to making bird feeders or composting the remains.

2. Eco-Friendly Costumes and the Fast Fashion Fright

Many Halloween costumes are made from synthetic materials and worn only once before ending up in landfill. This is a great time to discuss the environmental impact of fast fashion and the value of reusing materials. Get pupils involved in a “Costume Swap” or “Design Your Own from Recycled Materials” challenge. This not only reduces waste but also builds creativity and problem-solving skills. You can tie this into lessons on the circular economy and the importance of making sustainable choices.

3. Light the Way — Safely and Sustainably

From candles to fairy lights, Halloween is full of glowing decorations. Discuss with pupils how energy is used to power lights and how we can reduce our energy footprint by using LED bulbs or solar-powered options. For younger learners, a simple activity could be counting how many battery-powered decorations are used at home and brainstorming ways to use less energy. For older pupils, link this to renewable energy sources and their role in protecting the planet.

4. The Great Trick-or-Treat Debate: Plastic-Free Alternatives

Halloween sweets are often wrapped in single-use plastics that can’t be recycled. Encourage students to think about the packaging behind their favourite treats and how plastic pollution affects wildlife. Teachers can lead a discussion about eco-friendly alternatives — from homemade biscuits wrapped in paper to sweets packaged in recyclable materials. Pupils could even create a “Plastic-Free Halloween Pledge” for their class or school.

5. From Scary to Sustainable: The Climate Connection

Halloween’s spooky themes can be cleverly linked to climate lessons. Talk about how the things that really scare us — such as pollution, deforestation, or climate change — can be tackled through teamwork, innovation, and positive action. Encourage pupils to think of themselves as “Climate Heroes” who use knowledge and kindness to protect the planet. Activities like creating “Climate Hero masks” or writing short stories about saving the planet from a “pollution monster” can make this both educational and fun.

A Halloween to Remember

By weaving sustainability into your Halloween celebrations, you’re not only reducing waste and saving energy — you’re helping pupils see how everyday choices shape the world around them. At Our Classroom Climate, we’re passionate about giving schools the tools and inspiration to make climate education part of every season. From festive projects to classroom lessons, every small action helps build a more sustainable future for our children. Learn more about our climate education programmes at [Our Classroom Climate] and discover how your school can get involved.