With Halloween just around the corner, Hull City Council is reminding residents how to dispose of their pumpkins responsibly.
Whilst many people enjoy the tradition of pumpkin carving, every year millions of pumpkins are incorrectly discarded, contributing to significant food waste and environmental harm.
Pumpkins are great for making soups and pies, with hundreds of tasty recipes available online. So, turning yours into a meal is a great way of disposing of your Halloween pumpkin.
However, if pumpkin isn’t particularly to your taste, simply place your pumpkin in your food waste caddy or brown bin so it can be composted. Remember to remove any candles, wax or decorations.
If you have a compost bin, this process can also be done at home. Not only does this reduce waste but it enriches the soil in your garden. By chopping the pumpkin up into smaller pieces, it will help it to break down faster.
Above all, the council urges residents not to dispose of Halloween pumpkins in the black bin, or dump them in woodlands, as this can harm wildlife and disrupt local ecosystems. Pumpkins can also cause digestive issues in animals and introduce harmful bacteria into the environment.
Councillor Charles Quinn, portfolio holder for environment, said: “As a council, we are committed to promoting sustainable waste management.
“It is our collective responsibility, as a city, to protect the environment and preserve it for future generations. By consuming, or composting our pumpkins, we can make Halloween fun and environmentally friendly!”
