Fall is upon Wichita and with its breeze comes the excitement of Halloween parties, pumpkin patches and seasonal trends.
As college students, it is easy to get caught up in the fun without considering our environmental impact. Embracing sustainable practices during autumn doesn’t mean giving up on festivities — instead, it’s about finding simple ways to celebrate with intention.
Pumpkins are a key ingredient to making a difference during the spooky season. While it is tempting to toss out a pumpkin after Halloween — or much later, once it becomes an awkward amount of lumpy waste — consider ways to use every part of it.
Pumpkins and other organic waste, when left to decompose in oxygen-deprived landfills, release methane, a greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change. But we can divert pumpkins from this fate with a few easy steps.
Make the most of your pumpkin
When carving, save the pulp and extra carved chunks; these can be added to a compost pile. This helps reduce waste and enriches the soil. If you can’t compost at home, consider donating pumpkin scraps to a local community garden. Composting has a profound impact on reducing landfill waste and is an easy way to contribute to the environment.
Don’t forget the pumpkin seeds when carving — they can be baked and enjoyed as a delicious, seasonal snack.
If you’re not composting, seek out other pumpkin-friendly events. For instance, “Pumpkin Smash” at Juniper Gardens collaborates with Cultivate KC to divert pumpkins from landfills, giving them a second life. Community events like this create eco-friendly choices and memories.
And if you’re looking to plan for next year, consider picking your own pumpkins or even growing them at home, which reduces the environmental toll of shipping and packaging. It is the perfect activity to do while watching fall shows or scary movies and adds to your Halloween season.
Rethink costumes
Halloween costumes are another area where students can limit waste. Fast fashion can be a “quick fix” or a cheaper option compared to Spirit Halloween, but it comes at a cost to the environment.
Instead, put creativity to the test and learn how to make a costume. Cutting fabric, stitching it together and stuffing a costume with fluff is not the hardest thing. When I was 10 years old, I made one of my favorite costumes to this day: a donut costume. I stuck my head through the donut hole, and it sat lightly on my shoulders as I walked the streets.
After Halloween, it became a cozy pillow. My happiness extended beyond the holiday because it not only eventually served me with a different purpose, but I was creative and accomplished something I didn’t know I could do.
Other ways to be sustainable this fall
Consider organizing a costume swap with friends, family or neighbors instead of tossing away costumes after the holiday. If there isn’t anyone to trade with, donate them to a charity or a thrift store.
This autumn, let’s challenge Shockers to celebrate in ways that honor our traditions and create new ones. A little creativity and intention can make fall a season that’s both fun and eco-friendly.
