A Spooktacular Success: Halloween Costume Swaps Expand Across Devon

A Spooktacular Success: Halloween Costume Swaps Expand Across Devon 

 Devon’s libraries are joining forces this Halloween to help families swap, share and reuse costumes following a spooktacular response to last year’s scheme. 

Halloween is getting a little greener this year as Libraries Unlimited and Recycle Devon expand their popular Halloween Costume Swap initiative to 22 libraries across Devon. 

Last year, more than 180 Halloween costumes were donated across 14 libraries, helping hundreds of families find a pre-loved outfit. Following that success, the scheme is getting bigger this year, giving even more families the chance to find a Halloween costume without buying new ones. People are invited to bring along outgrown or unwanted Halloween costumes and accessories in good, clean and wearable condition, which can then be given a new lease of life by other children. 

If you’re looking for a costume, you can simply come along and browse the swap rail. There’s no requirement to donate a costume to take part, and costumes are free to take home. 

Halloween costumes can have a surprisingly frightening environmental impact. Research from Hubbub and the Fairyland Trust has found that Halloween costumes generate more than 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, that’s the equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles. 

With many costumes only worn once, swapping provides a simple way to keep them in use for longer, helping us to reduce waste and avoid buying something new every year. 

The initiative also offers families a chance to save money while still getting creative with their Halloween celebrations. 

Alex Kittow, CEO of Libraries Unlimited, said: “It’s brilliant to see our Halloween Costume Swap programme growing this year, with 22 libraries taking part compared with 14 last year. Libraries are all about sharing, and this is a great example of how we can help people share resources within their communities, save money and reduce waste at the same time. 

“We want Halloween to be fun and creative, without families feeling they must buy something new every year. Giving a costume a second life is a small change, but when lots of people get involved, it can make a real difference. We’d love to see even more families getting involved this year.” 

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “This fantastic initiative keeps Halloween fun and affordable for families, and helps reduce the amount of waste that is often generated at this time of year.  Children's costumes in particular are only worn once or twice before they're outgrown, so it makes sense to pass them on and let someone else get some use out of them. ” 

So, before buying something new this Halloween, check what might already be waiting for you at your local library. 

Respook, rescare, rewear! Give a costume a second life this Halloween.

 Find your local Halloween Costume Swap - Costume Swaps will be taking place throughout October at: 

Barnstaple Library, Bovey Tracey Library, Buckfastleigh Library, Chudleigh Library, Colyton Library, Dawlish Library, Exeter Library, Exmouth Library, Holsworthy Library, Ivybridge Library, Kingsbridge Library, Newton Abbot Library, Okehampton Library, Paignton Library, Pinhoe Library, Princetown Library, Seaton Library, Sidmouth Library, South Molton Library, Tavistock Library, Teignmouth Library and Torquay Library.  

Families should check with their local library for the date, times and details of their individual costume swap. 

The Halloween Costume Swap programme is delivered by Libraries Unlimited in partnership with Recycle Devon.