Boy in skull costume holding a bowl full of candy

If you think that witches, ghosts and vampires are the scariest things about Halloween, please think again. The massive production of disposable Halloween costumes, toxic cosmetics and candy wrappers has caused much more terrible damage to the planet and humans. Let's uncover some misconduct in Halloween manufacturing and see how a more sustainable supply chain can help.

Halloween costumes are expensive, but about 80% of them are made of cheap synthetic materials (such as polyester). They are not biodegradable and difficult to recycle because they are composed of mixed materials such as feathers, false hair and plastic parts.

Since these costumes are usually only used once and will be thrown into the trash can the next day, a large amount of Halloween garbage will eventually be thrown into the landfill. Most Halloween costumes are produced overseas in China to take advantage of cheap labor.

China is known as the factory of the world, and the issue of child labor has attracted increasing attention. Although the minimum age for employment in China is 16, it is estimated that about 7.7% of children aged 10-15 are working illegally.

To avoid dealing with companies involved in improper labor practices, companies should strive to increase the transparency of their networks, from raw material procurement to stores, and even product returns and recycling processes.

Mica is a material widely used in the cosmetics industry. Most of this ingredient comes from the "ghost" mines in India, where child labor is common in unregulated mines. The wages earned by children working long hours perpetuate the vicious circle of poverty—not to mention the number of casualties in these mines. The mica-containing cosmetics you own are likely to use raw materials mined by children.

So when applying Halloween makeup, can you be sure that it was designed, tested, and manufactured in an animal cruelty and child-free environment, where people are treated and paid fairly?

Since digital transformation plays a vital role in the evolution of supply chain transparency, companies have greater visibility and "obligations" to ensure corporate social responsibility.

A more transparent supply chain enables companies to track and trace every ingredient they use and share this data with partners and customers. This improves brand image and reputation, thereby increasing consumer loyalty, and has a positive impact on the bottom line and the green line.

Most Halloween waste comes from candy wrappers that contain plastic and aluminum, making it almost impossible to recycle. Sadly, even if you separate the wrapping paper for recycling purposes, they are likely to enter landfills or block waterways.

The solution may be to choose environmentally friendly wrapping paper and locally produced wrapping paper to reduce your "candy miles."

Chocolate production can also become a nightmare in the supply chain. Take the example of cocoa beans from West Africa, where farmers often find it difficult to work under the right conditions and lead a decent life. Similar to the situation in India and China, as child labor and labor trafficking begin to rise, the problem is getting worse.

Fairly traded and sustainably sourced cocoa beans protect the environment from overexploitation and ensure the establishment of a sustainable ecosystem for future generations. Companies that follow sustainable supply chain practices can connect their brands with goals and innovations, and share their sustainable development achievements on the world stage.

The sustainability of the supply chain goes far beyond green environmental protection. Human rights, fair labor practices, and environmental practices with the goal of zero are all playing an indispensable role. If you want to know more, check out Oxford Economics Research: "Sustainable Supply Chain Paradox Study in 2021".

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