A CALL TO ACTION to keep celebrations spooky and sustainable has been issued by Worcestershire County Council.
Each year, 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins end up in the bin across the UK, and only 30 per cent of pumpkin flesh being eaten.
Councillor Emma Stokes, cabinet member for the environment, said: “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.”
Saving the seeds is a good way to reduce waste, the seeds are packed with health benefits and can be roasted into a snack.
Pumpkins are full of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and vitamins B, C, and E.
Worcestershire County Council’s #FoodSavvy page: letswasteless.com/foodsavvy, offers recipe ideas from soups to curries for poeople to cook autumnal flavours and prevent waste.
Pumpkins can be put in the compost or buried in the garden after Halloween – or offered to a local farmer for animal feed.
