Carved pumpkins are often discarded in general waste, but did you know they can be recycled? If you don’t have a compost heap, pop your pumpkin in your food waste bin. If it’s too big to fit, simply place it on top of or next to your caddy and the recycling team will collect it on your usual collection day.

The pumpkins are recycled locally and used in a variety of ways, including being turned into a soil improver to help grow new food.

The UK grows millions of pumpkins each year, and they’re more than just a decoration. Pumpkin flesh is a power food, for the creation of nutrient rich soup. And the seeds should be toasted with lime and seasoning for a high protein snack.

Birds love pumpkins too, so hang a snack-o-lantern from your garden tree so our avian friends can help reduce food waste as well.

But most importantly, recycle your used pumpkins. Place them next to your green food waste bin on collection day; or if you live in a flat, place them with your communal food waste bin.

Each Halloween, the UK throws away the equivalent of 520 elephants worth of waste, from sweet wrappers to decorations and costumes that only last one night.

This year, let’s try to avoid this by using what you already have before buying new, and boxing up your decorations once the festivities are over so they can be reused next year.  It’s good for the planet, and your wallet!

Want to know something truly frightening?  Roughly 7 million costumes are thrown out each year in the UK, and 83% are made from non-recyclable plastic. So let’s make this Halloween spooky and sustainable by keeping outfits out of the general waste- here’s how you can help:

• Re-wear your costume from previous years.
• Swap or lend outfits with friends and family.
• Shop second-hand on sites like Vinted, Depop, eBay, or in charity shops
• Get creative and make your own using clothes and materials you already have
• Donate your old outfits