Since 1986, Volunteers Have Collected More than 9 Million Food Wrappers from Beaches and Waterways in the U.S. Alone, According to Ocean Conservancy Data

WASHINGTON – Halloween is here, and according to Statista, more than 70% of Americans are gearing up to join in the celebrations. Consumers are expected to spend $3.5 billion on Halloween candy alone. While treat trends fluctuate – chocolate confections are declining in popularity and gummy candies are on the rise – one  item continues to lurk under the surface and haunt the ocean: candy wrappers. 

Candy is one of the best parts of Halloween, but if you’re not careful, these seemingly harmless treats can cause significant damage to the ocean. According to data from Ocean Conservancy’s annual International Coastal Cleanup, food wrappers like candy wrappers consistently rank among the top five most commonly found items on beaches and waterways. Once plastic waste enters the water, it can harm marine life and disrupt ecosystems. Studies show that fish, birds, and other marine life can get tangled in or ingest plastic debris. Plastic pollution also poses a risk to human health. In the environment, plastics break down into tiny particles called microplastics, which can eventually make their way into the foods we consume. In fact, earlier this year, Ocean Conservancy published peer-reviewed research showing that Americans could be consuming up to 3.8 million microplastics annually from protein sources alone, including seafood as well as chicken, beef, and even veggie alternatives.  

“We can’t let our ocean become the world’s landfill,” said International Coastal Cleanup Senior Manager Sarah Weller. “Everything that ends up in the street or the environment at large can eventually make its way into our waterways and the ocean, not only harming marine life and ecosystems, but human health as well. We can all be part of the solution this Halloween and every holiday.”

Every year, an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enters our ocean – equivalent to more than a garbage truck’s worth per minute – and that number only continues to grow. The good news is we can end this nightmare together. You can still shell-ebrate Halloween in a fun and environmentally friendly way by:

• Rejecting the wrappers. While it might be hard to completely get rid of all plastics entirely, you can take steps to reduce the amount you buy. Choose candies wrapped in foil or cardboard instead of plastic. If you or your child end up with a bunch of plastic-wrapped treats, be sure to put the packaging in the trash instead of the recycling bin. If you’re hosting a Halloween party,  opt for homemade treats like cookies, brownies or small batch candies and put them in reusable containers or paper bags. For a healthier twist, consider serving dried fruit like apple slices or banana chips. 
• Cleaning up the next day. Regardless of how you actually decide to spend Halloween night, the fun doesn’t have to end then. Think about organizing a spooky scavenger hunt or a neighborhood haunted trail cleanup, where participants can pick up wrappers and litter along popular trick-or-treating paths. The earth, your future and the ocean will thank you, not haunt you.

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ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.