Fall for Sustainability: 10 Tips for a More Planet-Friendly Autumn

As the sunshine of summer gives way to the vibrant, earthy hues of autumn, we can’t help but feel excited to embrace new daily opportunities to savor the beauty of fall, while making a conscious effort to safeguard the planet. The changing of the seasons brings about a fresh chance to explore new sustainable habits, reconnect with the natural world, and cherish all of the amazing things autumn has to offer. We hope these curated tips inspire you to cherish the season in a way that honors the planet.

10 FUN TIPS FOR AN ECO-CONSCIOUS AUTUMN

CREATE A CONSCIOUS HALLOWEEN COSTUME.

The spooky secret behind single-use Halloween costumes is that they generate thousands of tons of plastic and textile waste every year. A 2019 study in the UK found that nearly 40 million families dress up each year in the UK, and 90% of those families buy new costumes each year. On top of that, nearly 70% of these costumes are made of materials derived from plastic, and 2 in 5 are only worn once before they end up in a landfill.

The result? Nearly 2,000 tons of plastic waste (equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles) reach landfills each year (in the UK alone), taking the form of a spooky costume. If you don’t already have a Halloween costume you can reuse from a few years ago, we encourage you to:

• Swap with a friend
• Upcycle household items to create a new design
• Put together a costume using some clothes you already have
• Thrift your costume from a local thrift store

Explore DIY videos online to get inspiration for your homemade costume!

USE YOUR PUMPKIN TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL.

Pumpkin carving is a classic fall tradition—and one that could use a little sustainability refresh. Instead of throwing away the pumpkin seeds and scraps, roast the seeds for a fall snack and use the pumpkin “meat” in a delicious fall recipe.

Create an Indoor Pumpkin Arrangement.

For a fun twist on indoor fall decorations, use a carved pumpkin as the base for a flower display or succulent garden. Take your arrangements a step further by adding seasonal herbs like rosemary or sage to infuse your space with natural fragrance. These arrangements not only add beauty to your space but also embody the sustainable spirit of the season.

LEAVE THE LEAVES.

If your neighborhood allows, leave the leaves on your lawn (as an evenly spaced covering). It's great for the soil, encouraging healthy microbial activity. You can also gather leaves and pile them around your garden beds or the base of trees to help insulate and nourish the soil ahead of a cold winter.

If your neighborhood doesn’t allow leaves to be left in the yard, consider composting them (at home or commercially), so they can be reintroduced to your soil (or your community’s soil) in time.

COZY UP WITH CONSCIOUS CANDLES.

Many conventional candles on the market are made with synthetic fragrances in a paraffin wax base. Paraffin is derived from petroleum, and when burned, these candles can release harmful chemicals and toxins that contribute to indoor air pollution. When you’re shopping for your favorite fall candle, make sure it’s made with natural wax such as soy wax or beeswax and naturally-derived fragrances.

Our 1 Hotels Signature Kindling Candle is perfect for autumn. With an aromatic bouquet of all-natural ingredients suspended in a natural soy wax blend, exotic eucalyptus, lucid oakwood, and sultry cedarwood meld together to create an uplifting essence. A base of sheer musk and earthy tree moss has the ability to bring the outdoors in.

With any candle, don’t forget to upcycle your candle vessel, giving it a second life as a plant pot, a pencil holder, or a home for your makeup brushes.

MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR PLANTS.

If you’re in an area that starts to get cold in the fall, be sure to research which of your outdoor plants must come inside as temps drop. If you don’t have any indoor plants this winter, consider getting a few! As big believers in biophilic design, we can attest to the wonderful healing powers of plants. They can purify the air, boost productivity and focus, reduce stress, and inspire feelings of positivity and calm.

LEARN WHAT'S IN-SEASON AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS.

The farmer’s market is a perfect place to start when you’re looking to shop for in-season produce. Plus, when you shop locally, you reduce the energy required to transport the produce around the world.

Beyond that, you can use this Crop Calendar search tool created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to find exactly what’s in season in your area.

HOST A PLANT-BASED FRIENDSGIVING.

Even if you (and your friend group) don’t follow a plant-based diet, this can still be a fun challenge to do in the spirit of sustainability. Each person can recreate their favorite Thanksgiving recipe with a plant-based twist! You can start with this master list of 40 vegan Thanksgiving recipes.

GOING APPLE PICKING? USE EVERY PART OF THE APPLE, DOWN TO THE CORE.

If you’re going apple picking, we recommend seeking out an organic or regenerative orchard. Beyond that, we encourage you to use every part of your apples!

You can use the apple cores and peels to do so many fun fall things around the house! You can draw inspiration from our sustainable cocktail program by making apple-infused liquor, apple syrup, or apple juice. You can also create your own apple cider vinegar or use the peels to clean your pots and pans.

Over in Toronto, fall is in the air, and our Beverage Director Clement Bondios is helping us toast to the season with the Orchard Promenade. As he says, this crisp cocktail is 1 Hotel Toronto’s version of an Old Fashioned—enhanced with a taste of autumn. As the leaves change and the temperature begins to drop, take the time to slow down and cozy up with this seasonal spin on a classic favorite.

1 Hotel Toronto’s Orchard Promenade Cocktail

• Pour 2 oz of Remy Martin VSOP into a Yarai Mixing Glass
• Add 0.5 oz of Caramel Apple Butter Syrup (see recipe below)
• Add 3 dashes of Vanilla and Fig Bitter
• Add a few ice cubes and stir for 20 seconds 
• Place 1 King Cube in a rocks glass
• Strain the cocktail over ice
• Garnish with a slice of apple

Caramel Apple Butter Syrup (makes 1 liter)

October is prime apple season in Ontario. Follow this recipe for the Orchard Promenade Cocktail above, and use the remainder to drizzle wherever else you need a little autumn sweetness.

• Cut 6 unpeeled apples of your favorite varietals (McIntosh, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp) into small cubes
• Add 150 grams of butter to a saucepan
• Add apples and cook for 15 minutes on medium heat
• Add 250 grams of sugar 
• Continue to cook until caramelized
• Add water 200 ml at a time until you reach 1 liter
• Continue to cook on medium heat for 10 minutes
• Remove from stove top and let sit for 20 minutes
• Once cool, add to a blender and blend at medium speed for 3 minutes
• Strain liquid through a Chinois into a jar
• Chill in the fridge for 24 hours

WRAP YOURSELF IN A BLANKET MADE WITH NATURAL FIBERS.

Cozying up in a blanket is a great way to stay warm without using too much energy from your furnace. But did you know that so many blankets out there are made with polyester, a form of plastic that’s usually derived from oil?

First things first, it’s important to make good use of the blankets you already have. However, if you’re in the market for a new one, look for blankets made with natural materials such as organic cotton, linen, Tencel (eucalyptus fiber), bamboo, and hemp.

RECONNECT WITH YOUR ROOTS IN NATURE.

With a crisp breeze, the arrival of auburn leaves (if you’re lucky), and the excitement of a new season, autumn presents an alluring opportunity to get outside, breathe the fresh air, and soak in all the wonders of nature. To embrace the beauty of fall, we invite you to prioritize the time to take a stroll through your local park, walk to your favorite coffee shop for a fall drink, go camping with your loved ones, wake up for a serene sunrise, or adventure to one of our sustainable sanctuaries.