// UK retailers to 2000 tonnes of plastic waste by the end of the month
// The waste is equivalent to the weight of 83 million bottles
Retailers in the UK are expected to generate 2000 tonnes of plastic waste from costumes this Halloween.
The waste is equivalent to the weight of 83 million bottles, according to new research from environmental charity Hubbub.
The charity based its research on Halloween costumes sold by 19 retailers, including Argos, Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
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Hubbub estimated that 33 million people dressed up for Halloween in 2017, but 40 per cent of costumes were worn just once.
It also found that polyester was the most common plastic polymer, accounting for 69 per cent of all materials.
“These findings are horrifying. The amount of plastic waste from Halloween costumes is similar to the weight of plastic waste generated at Easter in egg-wrappings,” Hubbub chief executive Trewin Restorick said.
“However the total plastic waste footprint of Halloween will be even higher once you take into account other Halloween plastic such as party kits and decorations, much of which are also plastic, or Halloween food packaging, most of which quickly becomes ‘rubbish’ and ultimately, breaks down to be plastic pollution.
“Retailers must take greater responsibility to offer ranges for seasonal celebrations that don’t worsen the already worrying impact of plastic waste on our planet.”
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