Occidental College Costume Swap Promotes Holiday Reuse

The Los Angeles campus event aims to lower holiday spending and reduce the environmental impact of synthetic Halloween costumes.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Spending

Screen-print poster illustration of masks and a cloak on a rack, representing circular fashion and sustainable holiday reuse. — Occidental College's recent costume swap program encourages students to repurpose used apparel, aiming to reduce synthetic textile waste during the holidays. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you prioritize environmental sustainability when choosing Halloween costumes for your household?

Occidental College recently hosted a Halloween costume swap, encouraging residents to donate used attire and select new pieces from the inventory. This community-focused effort seeks to mitigate the environmental footprint caused by cheap, synthetic holiday apparel.

Why it matters

Approximately 80% of manufactured Halloween costumes end up in landfills, contributing to a significant textile waste problem. By repurposing items, consumers can reduce personal spending while addressing the 4% to 10% of global carbon emissions linked to clothing production.

Americans are projected to spend $4.4 billion on Halloween costumes this year, while 80% of these garments eventually end up in landfills. This consumption pattern contributes to the 11.3 million tons of textile waste recorded in the U.S. in 2018.

The players

Occidental College

This private liberal arts college in Los Angeles hosted the community costume swap event.

Ultimate Halloween Swap

Founded last year, this organization coordinates costume exchange events and plans to expand into prom and back-to-school clothing swaps.

The details

Costumes are frequently constructed using heat bonding rather than traditional stitching, making them difficult to recycle or repair. These synthetic garments shed microplastics during the washing process, and the textile dyeing required for production accounts for 20% of industrial wastewater emissions globally.

In 2018, the United States discarded 11.3 million tons of textiles.
The Ultimate Halloween Swap was founded last year.
Americans are expected to spend $4.4 billion on costumes this year.
The Occidental College swap occurred in October 2026.

Market Landscape

The growing popularity of local costume swaps reflects a shift in consumer habits following the 11.3 million tons of U.S. textile waste reported for 2018. This trend challenges the fast-fashion business model that relies on cheap synthetic materials and disposability.

Participating in community swaps allows shoppers to avoid high costs for single-use garments and find quality alternatives for free. Consumers can save money this season by assembling outfits from existing clothing or utilizing online rental marketplaces instead of buying new.

The takeaway

Choosing to swap, reuse, or rent costumes is a practical way for families to lower holiday expenses while reducing personal waste. By avoiding new synthetic purchases, consumers contribute to a more sustainable cycle for the clothing industry.