Halloween is supposed to be fun, not terrifying for the planet. But here’s the truth that’s scarier than any haunted house: 83% of Halloween costumes contain non-recyclable, oil-based plastics that are destined for landfills the moment you’re done trick-or-treating.
There’s a Better Way: Introducing Lextober 2025
That’s why I’m launching Lextober, what we believe is Los Angeles’s first-ever environmental Halloween costume donation drive, running October 10-29, 2025, in partnership with the incredible ocean conservation nonprofit Heal the Bay.
Here’s the thing: we’ve had food drives and coat drives for decades. But a costume drive focused on both environmental sustainability AND making Halloween accessible to every kid? That’s new. And it’s desperately needed.
Because here’s what most people don’t realize: Halloween costume waste isn’t just an environmental crisis, it’s an economic justice issue too. With Americans expected to spend a record-breaking $114.45 per person on Halloween this year (thanks to tariffs and inflation), countless families simply can’t afford to participate. Kids are missing out on one of childhood’s most magical nights because costumes have become luxury items.
Lextober solves two massive problems at once:
- Keeps synthetic costumes out of landfills and oceans (environmental win)
- Makes Halloween accessible to families who can’t afford $30+ costumes (community win)
Instead of letting your gently used costumes haunt landfills for the next 200 years, donate them. Give them a second (or third, or fourth) life. Let another kid be a superhero. Let another adult rock that inflatable T-Rex suit at next year’s party.
Now let me hit you with the stats that prove why this matters so much.
The Frightening Facts About Halloween Waste
Okay, now for the nightmare fuel. Here are the statistics that should make you think twice before buying that $15 zombie nurse costume you’ll wear exactly once:
In the United States alone:
- 35 million Halloween costumes are trashed every year
- 5.4 million kilograms of textile waste is generated from discarded Halloween costumes
- Over 2,000 tons of plastic waste from costumes goes to landfill annually, that’s the equivalent of 83 million plastic bottles
- 63% of costumes contain polyester, which takes anywhere from 20 to 200 years to decompose
And here’s the kicker: Americans are spending $11.6 billion in total on Halloween, with a huge chunk going toward costumes that will be worn once and forgotten.
Meanwhile, fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu have been flooding the market with ultra-cheap costumes made from petroleum-based plastics. Until recently, they avoided paying import duties by exploiting loopholes. But even with new tariffs in place (currently at 30% on Chinese imports, plus a flat $100 fee per package), the real cost still isn’t reflected in the price tag. The planet is paying. Workers are paying. And we’re all paying in terms of landfill overflow, microplastic pollution, and climate impact.
When these synthetic costumes sit in landfills, they don’t just take up space. They leach toxic chemicals into groundwater and soil, contributing to methane gas emissions that accelerate climate change. And if they’re incinerated instead? They release dioxins, furans, and other harmful gases that threaten human, animal, and environmental health.
This. Is. Not. Okay.
Here’s How Lextober Works
What We’re Accepting:
✅ Kids’ costumes (all sizes)
✅ Adult costumes (all sizes)
✅ Halloween accessories (masks, wigs, props)
✅ Costume pieces and parts
Where to Drop Off:
Drop-off boxes will be available at select Los Angeles locations from October 10-29, 2025, including:
- Heal the Bay Aquarium (Santa Monica Pier): Wednesdays-Sundays, 12-4pm
- 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
For a complete list of drop-off locations and more info, visit LexySilverstein.com.
What Happens Next:
All donated costumes will be sorted and redistributed to families in the Los Angeles community, giving them an affordable, eco-friendly Halloween option. No waste. No guilt. Just good vibes and spooky fun.
Why Heal the Bay?
I’m beyond honored to partner with Heal the Bay on this initiative. For 40 years, they’ve been at the forefront of ocean conservation, monitoring water quality across LA County beaches, advocating for science-based environmental policy, and educating millions of Angelenos about protecting marine ecosystems.
Their work matters because costume waste doesn’t just stay in landfills. Microplastics from synthetic fabrics eventually make their way into our waterways and oceans, harming marine life and polluting the ecosystems we depend on. By keeping costumes out of the trash, we’re also keeping plastics out of the ocean.
Let’s Make Halloween Sustainable, Together
Look, I get it. Fast fashion has infiltrated Halloween just like it has every other aspect of our lives. It’s cheap, it’s convenient, and it’s everywhere. But convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of the planet.
We already have enough clothes on this planet to dress the next six generations. We don’t need more $5 costumes made from petroleum that will outlive us all. What we need is a shift in mindset, one that values reuse, sustainability, and community over disposability.
So here’s what I’m asking:
- Dig through your closet. Find those costumes you wore once (or never wore at all).
- Drop them off at one of our Lextober locations between October 10-29.
- Spread the word. Tell your friends, your family, your neighbors. Share this post. Tag @HealtheBay and @LexySilverstein.
- Make sustainable choices this Halloween. Thrift your costume. Rent it. DIY it. Rewear it. Just don’t let it end up in a landfill.
Halloween doesn’t have to be scary for the planet. Let’s give our costumes a “second fright” at life and make this Halloween a little less wasteful and a lot more wonderful.
See you at the drop-off!
Follow me on my socials:
- Liketoknow.it/lexysilverstein
- 🌐 Visit LexySilverstein.com
- 🌊 Learn more about Heal the Bay at HealtheBay.org
