Halloween is almost here, and that means an influx of sugary treats. Whether your children go to a local trunk-or-treat or go door to door in your neighborhood, local shopping mall, or district, they’ll come home with a massive candy haul.
Each year, approximately 600 million pounds of Halloween candy are sold in the U.S. The average haul per trick-or-treater breaks down to about 3 cups of sugar. If a child can fill an entire pillowcase with candy, they could end up with almost 1,700 pieces.
When your family becomes overwhelmed with candies that no one eats – we’re talking about the candy corn, hard candies, licorice, and peanut butter kisses – what do you do with them? What do you do with the dozens of candy wrappers and wax-coated boxes? Is there a way to donate or recycle them?
You can donate, recycle, and repurpose Halloween candy. It’s also a great way to get candy into the hands of people who would love some treats. You can also compost, recycle, and repurpose any candy no one wants. Our guide walks you through the best ways to rehome your candy without sending it to the landfill.
Can You Recycle Candy Wrappers and Boxes?
Some candy wrappers and boxes are recyclable, but it depends on the material.
- Foil wrappers: Completely foil wrappers, like those on a Hershey’s Kiss, are recycled as aluminum foil.
- Paper: Wrappers or boxes made entirely of paper, with no plastic, foil, or wax coating, are compostable.
- Plastic: Only stretchy plastic is recyclable as plastic film. If it crinkles, it’s not.
Your community could chip in and purchase a postage-paid candy and snack wrapper zero-waste bag or box from Terracycle. Candy and snack wrappers go into the box and are shipped to a facility for recycling.
How to Donate Unopened Halloween Candy
Donating your candy is a great way to make sure Halloween candy reaches those in need.
Local Food Pantries
Many people donate canned and non-perishable items to food pantries, but they overlook treats. Donate your unwanted candy to a local food shelf. Items like baby wipes, diapers, personal care items, and toiletries are also in high demand but often overlooked.
Ronald McDonald House
Some Ronald McDonald House chapters welcome donations of wrapped candies for candy bowls in the kitchens. Call your local chapter to make sure they’re currently accepting donations.
Treats for Troops
Check that the candy wrapper or box has no pinholes or tears. If it’s completely sealed, box it up and find a drop-off location for Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops. Candy donations go directly to military members.
Boxes must contain no more than 10 pounds. If there’s no drop-off, pay the postage and mail them to:
Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops
1355 Central Parkway S #700
San Antonio, TX 78232
For donations exceeding 10 pounds, email [email protected].
Tips for Composting Opened or Half-Eaten Candies
Consider composting half-eaten or opened candies. Because sugar feeds microbes, limit how much you add at once.
Sugary materials are composted as browns. Be aware that in an open pile, candy may attract animals like mice and squirrels. It’s best to compost candy in a tumbler or bury it deep in the existing compost.
Creative Ways to Repurpose Leftover Halloween Candy
Repurposing candy is another option. Instead of throwing it away, find another use. Chop unwanted chocolate candies up and save them for ice cream sundae toppings.
Mix candy-coated chocolates and chocolate-covered nuts/raisins with mixed nuts, Chex, and pretzels to make trail mix. Be creative with the mix-ins. Chopped dried apricots provide a quick nutrient boost, while roasted edamame adds crunch and protein.
Turn peanut butter kisses into a tasty addition to brownie batter. Cut them into small portions and stir into the batter before baking.
Save your hard candies for Christmas. Make sugar cookies and cut small holes in the dough. Crush hard candies into fine pieces and spoon some into the holes. You’ll end up with gorgeous stained-glass cookies to give to family and friends.
Halloween Candy Recycling and Storage FAQs
Can you freeze Halloween candy?
Many candies retain their shape and freshness when you freeze them on Halloween night or the next day. The faster you freeze them, the better it is for candies that contain oils or fat. Hard candies and items like candy corn don’t freeze as well. Humidity impacts their condition during a freeze/thaw cycle.
If you do freeze them, try to keep them in their original packaging when possible. If you can’t, put the candies in freezer bags and squeeze out all excess air.
If you have the equipment, freeze-dried candy is a trend. It changes the texture and allows for longer storage times. In a standard freezer bag, it lasts up to two years, but vacuum-sealed jars or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers can last 10 to 30 years in the pantry. Eat it quickly once opened, though, as moisture can ruin it fast.
How long does Halloween candy last?
Candy lasts a while, but it depends on the type of candy and how it’s stored.
Type of Candy | At Room Temperature | In the Freezer | Storage Tips |
Candy Corn | Up to 9 months | Not recommended | Sensitive to humidity, so keep it in the original packaging |
Caramels/Toffee | 6 to 9 months | 1 year | Thaw before eating, as frozen caramel/toffee can crack teeth |
Chocolate | Up to 2 years (Dark Chocolate) or 6 to 12 months (Milk Chocolate) | Up to 2 years | Freeze in original wrappers when possible to avoid exposure to air |
Coated Candies (Peanut butter cups, M&Ms, etc.) | 6 to 9 months | Up to 1 year | Oil in nuts goes rancid over time, so freeze as soon as possible |
Gummies/Jelly Candies | 6 to 12 months | Up to 2 years | Store in original packaging to avoid exposure to humidity |
Hard Candies/Lollipops | Up to 1 year | Not recommended | Humidity melts the outer layers and makes them sticky and unappealing |
How do I find a local buy-back program near me?
Local dentists and doctors may offer a buy-back program where kids can trade uneaten Halloween candy for cash. Local toy stores sometimes do the same and offer cash or store credit. Your children could cash in uneaten candy for new toys.
The easiest way to find these programs is to search “Halloween candy buy-back program near me” or “Halloween candy buy-back program” and add your state name.
How do I recycle Halloween candy near me?
If you’d rather recycle uneaten or unwanted Halloween candy, visit RecycleNation, enter your ZIP code, search “Candy Wrappers” or “Food Scraps,” and use the list of locations to decide where to go. The results include hours, addresses, and contact information.
