A Second Life for Spooky Season: The Movement to Swap Halloween Costumes

The program, which began as a pilot in 2025, invites families to donate clean, wearable costumes and select new-to-them items at no cost. By partnering with institutions such as Heal the Bay Aquarium, Occidental College, and Girls Inc. of Los Angeles, the project aims to disrupt the buy-wear-discard cycle that defines much of the modern holiday experience. With studies indicating that 83% of costume materials are plastic, the swap provides a practical, community-based solution to divert textiles from landfills.

This expansion arrives as California prepares to implement the Responsible Textile Recovery Act, SB 707, which will eventually hold producers accountable for the lifecycle of apparel products. While the state moves toward systemic regulation by 2028, local organizers are encouraging immediate action. Participants can drop off masks, wigs, and costumes at designated locations, including Knox Elementary School and Opera Santa Barbara, through November 6. By treating costumes as durable goods rather than disposable accessories, the initiative seeks to make sustainability both accessible and part of the seasonal tradition.