“Eat Your Pumpkin” this Halloween to tackle £26 million in food waste

Devon residents are being urged to think twice before throwing away their Halloween pumpkins this year, as new figures reveal more than half of all carved pumpkins in the UK will end up in the bin.

Every October, around 30.4 million pumpkins are bought across the country for carving. Yet 15.8 million of these — worth an estimated £26.7 million — go to waste, left uneaten once the candles have gone out.

Despite being perfectly edible, most pumpkins carved for Halloween never make it to the dinner table. Research by environmental charity Hubbub found that while 60% of people know pumpkins can be eaten, only one in nine actually use them as food.

To tackle the waste, Recycle Devon is reminding households that pumpkins are a nutritious, affordable and versatile ingredient that can be cooked in countless ways — from hearty soups and curries to roasted snacks and autumn pies.

“You may have seen pumpkins in shops labelled ‘carving pumpkins’, but don’t let the sticker lead you astray,” says Recycle Devon. “These pumpkins are perfectly edible!”

Carving pumpkins, which are typically larger and more fibrous, are ideal for bulking out soups and stews. The charity says that every part of the pumpkin can be eaten except the stalk — even the seeds and the stringy “guts” inside can be transformed into snacks or flavourful broths.

Councillor Ruth Williams, Chair of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee, said:
“Carving pumpkins for decoration has become a very popular part of Halloween, but we’ve forgotten their true purpose – dinner! If you’re buying a pumpkin to carve this year, remember to use the innards to create nutritious and tasty meals and snacks.”

Residents are also reminded that once Halloween is over, any leftover pumpkins can be composted or added to food waste collections where available.

And it’s not just pumpkins going to waste — four in ten Halloween costumes are reportedly thrown away after just one wear. Devon libraries are once again helping residents cut down on waste by hosting Halloween costume swaps throughout October, encouraging families to donate, exchange or reuse outfits.

For more pumpkin-saving inspiration, Recycle Devon is sharing recipes, decorating ideas and waste-reduction tips throughout the Halloween period.

To learn more about how to reduce, reuse and recycle in Devon, visit www.recycledevon.org or follow Recycle Devon on Facebook, X and Instagram for their #EatYourPumpkin campaign.