How Halloween Can Be Frightful For The Environment – And For Wildlife

Published on: 24 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 28 Oct, 2025

A hedgehog photographed at night with a remote camera. This is just one creature at risk at Halloween. Surrey Wildlife Trust

Halloween is fun for children – but can be damaging for wildlife and the environment.

That’s the message from Surrey Wildlife Trust, which has issued a message to the public warning that:

Artificial spider webs can trap creatures such as hedgehogs and birds.
Millions of tons of plastic merchandise such as Halloween costumes end up in landfill each year.
And many thousands of tons of pumpkins are wasted.

Marcus Wehrle of Surrey Wildlife Trust says: “Artificial spiderwebs might look fun, but when they are hung outside on trees and hedges, they can trap and kill creatures including hedgehogs, birds and insects.

“They are also often made of very fine plastic strands, which are not biodegradable. These are harmful to the environment.”

The Trust adds that 80 per cent of Halloween merchandise is made predominately of cheap plastic and an estimated seven million costumes are sent landfill each year.

The message is: There are plenty of ways you can protect the environment.

“You could buy a second-hand costume or make your own and decorate with hand-made materials,” says the Trust. “And you can bake your own spooky treats . Trick or treat bags don’t need to be plastic either. Get your children to decorate their own paper bag instead.

“It’s not just plastic waste that can be an issue at Halloween. The World Economic Forum has reported that some 95 per cent of pumpkins are produced just for Halloween and the BBC says approximately 18,000 tonnes of pumpkin waste is thrown away each year.

“But avoid feeding pumpkin to wildlife. This can be harmful to some creatures such as hedgehogs. You can search online for pumpkin recipes such as pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup to make use of the edible innards. And don’t forget to compost your Jack-o’-lanterns after the 31st in your garden compost bin or via your local food waste collection.”

Surrey Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK. With the support of volunteers and members they manage over 5000ha of land for wildlife and people in Surrey. They also work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live. Visit surreywildlifetrust.org