Pumpkins were destined for so much more than just being hollowed out and then thrown away, they are so versatile and delicious! But even once you've eaten as much of it as you can, the remains shouldn't go in your normal bin. 

Almost 120,000 tonnes of food waste is thrown into Norfolk and Suffolk rubbish bins every year! Much of this food, like pumpkins, could still be eaten or composted. This is a horrible waste and costs families and Councils a lot of money. If you’ve picked up a pumpkin for Halloween this year, check out these ideas.

1) Compost Your Pumpkin  

Pumpkins are organic material and if composted will give up their gourd-y goodness, making wonderful rich compost to help whatever grows next in your garden rise from the bed or vegetable patch. Have a read of our composting guide to help get you started!

Don’t have a garden? It can go in a food waste caddy if cut up. Otherwise, see if your local area is running a pumpkin drop-off, or if local gardens or allotments are keen to take them in. 

2) Birds love seeds…… 

…..and pumpkins are no exception! Save up the seeds while carving, dry them in the oven at 180C/gas 4 for about ten minutes then add them to your bird feeder. 

If you want a crafty project, try transforming your pumpkin into a bird feeder with this guide from the Simple Things.

3) Put down the knife 

Making a pumpkin lantern isn’t a tradition that has to be carved in stone! Cutting up a pumpkin, as well as being time-consuming and dangerous for small children, exposes the pumpkin to the air which speeds up decomposition. Keep your pumpkin fresher for longer by opting for no-carve decoration.  

Turn little pumpkins into a family of owls by sticking on felt circles for eyes, a felt triangle for a beak and yellow pipe cleaners underneath for claws. 

Or turn a pumpkin into a wacky face by using your squash as a collage canvas with cut out eyes, noses, mouths and ears from magazines and newspapers. If you have props like spare glasses or Mr. Potato head features, these can also be stuck on to make a Mr.Pumpkin Head!

4) Drink your pumpkin 

Get all those vitamins and minerals but slurp them down instead! Squeeze the goodness from your squash in a Thai pumpkin soup, or go sweet with a pumpkin and coconut cake.

Feeling the sweater weather? Take a toasty pumpkin-spiced latte using real pumpkin puree with you in a flask on an autumn walk, or share a glass of pumpkin mulled wine while feeling cosy and warm.