Halloween Horror - 18,000 Tonnes of Pumpkins Wasted Every Year!

Every year, a staggering 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins end up in the bin across the UK, with only 30% of pumpkin flesh being eaten.

With 8 million pumpkins wasted annually (source: Hubbub), it’s time to rethink how we celebrate the season and make a dent in this ghoulish food waste trend.

Councillor Emma Stokes, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, warns “People might think leaving pumpkins out for wildlife is a good idea, but rotting pumpkins can actually harm animals, especially hedgehogs.”

“We encourage everyone to enjoy their pumpkins to the fullest so try out some new recipes, or dispose of pumpkins responsibly by composting or repurposing.”

Some spookily simple ways to reduce pumpkin waste include:

• skip the carving, paint Instead a decorated, whole pumpkin will last longer, reducing waste
• carve with care, if you do carve, scoop out the flesh and use it for cooking plus, a hollowed pumpkin glows brighter!
• save the seeds, packed with health benefits, pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a delicious snack

Pumpkins aren’t just for decoration, they’re a nutritional powerhouse full of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and vitamins B, C, and E.

Our #FoodSavvy page offers recipe ideas from soups to curries that let residents enjoy autumnal flavours and prevent waste.

Once Halloween is over, the best way to dispose of pumpkins is to compost. No compost bin? Consider smashing them up to bury in your garden, or offer them to a local pig or goat owner who will appreciate the treat! And remember, leaving pumpkins out for wildlife can pose risks to animals.

For inspiration on what to do with pumpkins post-Halloween, visit Hubbub’s “Eat Your Pumpkin” campaign, which shares creative ideas to help households make the most of every pumpkin.

With a little creativity and effort, we can keep Halloween spooky, delicious, and sustainable! Visit the FoodSavvy page for more information.