Halloween is a fun time to get creative and carve out spooky pumpkins. But have you thought about what happens to all the pumpkins? Research by Hubbub estimates around 12.8 million pumpkins are bought in the UK to decorate and many are likely to be left uneaten. That’s around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkin in the UK that could end up in the bin costing around £2.3 million!

The process of growing, making, distributing, storing and cooking our food uses loads of energy, fuel and water and this process generates 30% of the world’s CO₂ greenhouse gas levels.

• Keep pumpkins in a cool place until you are ready to use them.
• Cut the flesh into manageable chunks, wrap tightly and store it in the fridge. Ensure your fridge is at the right temperature - between 0-5°C.
• You can also freeze the flesh so that you can bake something at a later date. Mash or roast the pumpkin flesh before freezing and simply pop it in an airtight container or bag. Remember to add a label with what it is and the date you froze it.

If you have any pumpkin leftovers you can’t use then please keep them out of your refuse bin. Pumpkins can easily be composted in your home composting bin or put the leftovers in your food waste collection or you can even smash it up and dig it into your garden  where it will rot down. 

If you leave pumpkin leftovers outside for the wildlife please don’t leave them on the ground as they are harmful to hedgehogs.

Healthier Halloween foods

Gross toasts

We waste 20 million slices of bread every day in the UK! Make the most of your loaf by making these mummy toasts.  

Halloween Peppers

Did you know that around 36,000 tonnes of peppers are wasted every year? Why not try these Halloween peppers.