Halloween is synonymous with pumpkins. Every year, millions are bought for carving and decoration, but few people consider what happens to them after the celebrations end. Shockingly, an estimated 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkin flesh is discarded in the UK alone each Halloween, enough to make a bowl of soup for everyone in the country. Let’s explore the scale of pumpkin waste and practical ways to make Halloween a little more sustainable.
Why Halloween Pumpkin Waste is an Environmental Issue
When pumpkins are discarded after Halloween, they typically end up in landfills, where they decompose and release methane (a greenhouse gas with over 20 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide). This waste is concerning because food production already accounts for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions, and wasted pumpkins only add to this.
In the UK, around 24 million pumpkins are bought for Halloween, yet more than half go uneaten. While carving is a beloved tradition, it’s often overlooked that all parts of a pumpkin are edible and nutritious, from its flesh to its seeds.
How to Reduce Pumpkin Waste This Halloween
Reducing pumpkin waste doesn’t require radical changes—just a few simple actions. Here’s how to make the most of your Halloween pumpkins:
Try cooking with your pumpkin
Pumpkins are a highly versatile food. Organisations like Hubbub and campaigns such as Love Food Hate Waste share delicious recipes that make use of every part of the pumpkin. From comforting soups and roasted seeds to curries and pies, there are endless options to explore. Cooking your pumpkin rather than discarding it can help reduce waste, support the environment, and offer you a range of tasty dishes to enjoy.
Compost leftover pumpkin parts
If you can’t use the entire pumpkin, composting is a great way to dispose of it sustainably. When composted, pumpkins break down without producing methane and enrich the soil with valuable nutrients. Many local councils now offer food waste collection services, making it easy to compost pumpkins. Not only is composting beneficial for the environment, but it also helps create a sustainable loop by returning organic matter to the earth.
Attend a local pumpkin Rescue Event
Eat your Pumpkin, an initiative by Hubbub, encourages communities to prevent pumpkin waste through workshops and events. These gatherings often feature cooking demonstrations, meal sharing, and zero-waste tips to inspire people to use their pumpkins as food rather than waste. This hands-on approach to sustainability shows how easy and rewarding it is to make the most of our Halloween traditions.
Choose edible varieties and buy locally
Instead of ornamental pumpkins, choose varieties that are ideal for both cooking and carving, such as smaller, edible pumpkins often available at farmers’ markets. By supporting local farmers, you also help reduce food miles and enjoy fresher produce. Edible varieties, like sugar pumpkins, can be transformed into delicious seasonal dishes after they’ve served their decorative purpose.
Set a Zero-Waste Halloween goal
Adopting a zero-waste mindset can be a fun and effective way to make Halloween more sustainable. Plan to use every part of your pumpkin: roast the seeds, cook the flesh, and compost the leftovers. With a little preparation, Halloween can become an opportunity to reduce waste and celebrate sustainably.
Embracing a Greener Halloween Tradition
Reducing pumpkin waste is an easy, impactful way to make Halloween greener. By composting, cooking, and supporting local produce, we each have the chance to lessen our environmental impact. This Halloween, let’s make the most of our pumpkins, turning them from spooky decorations into delicious meals and sustainable choices. 🎃
With a few mindful changes, we can transform Halloween into a celebration that’s kinder to the planet.
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