Cleaning up and protecting our wildlife post-Halloween

Published on 06 November 2024

Halloween has come and gone, but some of those spooky decorations may still be haunting our environment. As we tidy up our cobwebs and ghosts, let’s ensure we’re also giving a little thought to our local wildlife. Leftover decorations can pose a real threat to animals, especially birds and insects, so here are some quick tips on how to wrap up Halloween in a safe and eco-friendly way.

Leftover Halloween decorations and our wildlife

Those popular fake spiderwebs and plastic decorations might look eerie, but if left out, they can become dangerous to local wildlife. According to BirdLife Australia fine netting in spiderweb decorations can entangle small birds like honeyeaters, thornbills, and silvereyes, all common to our area. With Halloween over, removing decorations quickly and cleanly is a great way to protect wildlife.

Plastic decorations pose a threat too, especially for birds who may mistake them for nest materials. Bits of plastic can end up in nests, which is risky for chicks and other wildlife that come into contact with it. Pack these items carefully and store them for next Halloween—or explore more wildlife-friendly options.

Rethinking single-use Halloween items

Many Halloween decorations end up in landfill. Single-use plastic items, often mixed with materials that aren’t recyclable, take hundreds of years to break down. As they do, they release microplastics that can harm soil, water, and entire ecosystems.

By choosing reusable and recyclable decorations, we can reduce the impact on our environment. Before tossing anything, consider if it can be repurposed, donated, or sold for future use. A little planning now can make next Halloween easier and more eco-friendly.

Ideas for next year’s green Halloween

While we’re packing up from this year’s festivities, it’s a great time to think about how to make next year’s Halloween greener.

Make it green with your own sustainable decorations by:

• crafting your own spiderwebs: next time, make spiderwebs from natural twine or yarn, with large gaps to keep wildlife safe.
• DIYing posters and signs: handmade paper signs using paint or natural materials like leaves and twigs can add spooky charm without the environmental impact.
• biodegradable bats and ghosts: instead of buying new decorations, try cutting paper bats to hang from trees or repurposing old towels for ghoulish figures.
• turn plastic milk cartons into spooky creations (as pictured): fill with water, draw a scary face, add some lights and let the haunting begin!

As we close out Halloween, let’s give a final thought to the wildlife around us by cleaning up responsibly and planning for an even better, greener Halloween next year.