Don't let your Halloween celebrations become a waste nightmare
West Oxfordshire District Council is encouraging residents to enjoy Halloween sustainably this year by making the most of their pumpkins, reusing costumes and decorations, and keeping waste to a minimum.
Halloween is a great opportunity to get creative, but once the celebrations are over, pumpkins, costumes and decorations can quickly end up in the bin. With a little planning, residents can save money, reduce waste and still enjoy plenty of spooky fun.
Make the most of your pumpkin
Pumpkins aren't just for carving, they're great for cooking too!
When preparing your Halloween pumpkin, why not save the flesh to make a warming soup, curry or even a cake? The seeds can also be roasted for a tasty snack.
If you're planning to eat your pumpkin, consider decorating the outside rather than carving it. This can help keep it fresh for longer, giving you more time to enjoy it. Make sure it's still safe to eat before cooking.
For recipe ideas and tips on reducing pumpkin waste, visit the Love Food Hate Waste website. Before eating your pumpkin, check what variety it is. Some varieties of pumpkin and squash are delicious while others, though still edible, are mostly decorative
Recycle your pumpkin after Halloween
Once Halloween is over, there's no need for leftover pumpkins to end up in your general rubbish bin.
If your pumpkin is no longer suitable to eat, you can compost it at home or recycle it with your household food waste.
Simply remove any candles, wax and decorations, cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces and place them in your food waste caddy ready for collection.
Give costumes and decorations another chance
Halloween doesn't have to mean buying everything new.
Before heading to the shops, see what you already have at home. Old clothes can be turned into easy DIY costumes, while last year's decorations can be dusted off for another Halloween.
Charity shops, second-hand marketplaces and costume swaps with friends and family are also great ways to save money and reduce waste.
After Halloween, keep costumes and decorations for next year or pass them on for someone else to enjoy. Alternatively, clothing can be recycled by placing it in a tied carrier bag next to your recycling bin on collection day. Unwanted decorations and textiles can also be recycled across Oxfordshire. You can find your nearest recycling location through Oxfordshire County Council’s Waste Wizard tool.
Councillor Alistair Wray, Executive Member for Environment, said:
"Halloween is a great time for families to have fun, but it can also create a lot of unnecessary waste.
"Making Halloween more sustainable doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. Simple things like reusing decorations or swapping costumes can help save money and reduce the amount we throw away.
"And once the celebrations are over, don't forget that pumpkins can go in your food waste caddy rather than your general rubbish bin.
"Small changes like these can make a real difference, helping us all enjoy Halloween while doing our bit for the environment."
For more information about recycling and waste collections in West Oxfordshire, visit the West Oxfordshire District Council website.