The problems with Pumpkins after Halloween
Pumpkins are an icon of halloween, whether it be in carving competitions, Jack’o Lanterns, or pumpkin pie. But what happens to the ones not sold after Halloween ends?
With the spooky season having just past, an estimated 13.5 million pumpkins alone are going to waste due to lack of demand. Many posts online recommend leaving them in nature, or putting them in the bin like any other food waste, but it is often recommended against by food waste charities and local councils.
In addition to the economic cost and unnecessary waste, a pumpkin that ends up in landfill will decompose and release methane which has 20 times the affect on climate then carbon dioxide does.
So how can you be more environmentally sustainable during Halloween?
If there is no other option but to bury your pumpkin, the Wildlife Trust recommends burying it 12-18 deep to avoid diseases, rodents and poisoning smaller animals such as hedgehogs.
Other ideas include: Making a pumpkin bird feeder, taking the seeds to grow some yourself, and donating ones that have yet to rot to local food charities or even farmers.
“Most pumpkins for halloween are grown for their size and appearance rather than their taste, but that just means the one’s left over cause that much more of an issue.” says Kiran Merry, A Coventry University student who works with Hubbub over the summer.
“To get rid of them properly, we normally say to use them in food if they do taste good. If not, then smash them up and compost them to make sure wildlife don’t get poisoned by eating rotting ones.”
The issue of pumpkin waste has become more significant as the popularity of pumpkins and related practices continue to rise in popularity, with activities such as visiting pumpkin patches, and “picking your own pumpkin” having seen a large increase over recent years. Last halloween, it was estimated over £600 million was spent on festivities in the UK alone.
Check out the video below for a small insight into Pumpkins R Us, a patch located at the Dallas Burston Polo club on the outskirts of Coventry.
Speaking to Fiona further, she said that like most pumpkin patches they partner with large food disposal companies to ensure the leftover pumpkins are disposed of properly. “ it’s a shame that so many go to waste, but its impossible to guess an exact amount. All we can do is guess from the amount sold the year before and hope demand stays the same.”
Pumpkins will stay a staple of Halloween for the foreseeable future, however the environmental impact that have afterwards should be lessened to ensure they can be enjoyed to their fullest extent.
