After Halloween, most pumpkins end up in the bin—but they don’t have to. There are loads of fun and eco-friendly ways to reuse your pumpkin. You can cut down on waste, help wildlife, and still keep the spooky vibes going!
Did you know?
Pumpkins aren’t just decorations, they’re food! But after Halloween, most people don’t eat them. In fact, only 1 in 9 people cook their pumpkin. That means millions of pumpkins are wasted every year - enough to make 95 million meals.
When pumpkins go to waste, it harms the environment. Rotting food releases greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. So, let’s do something better with our pumpkins!
What can you do instead?
Here are some cool and sustainable ways to use your pumpkin after Halloween:
Roast the seeds
Don’t throw the seeds away! Rinse them, add a little oil and salt (or your favourite seasoning), and roast them in the oven. They make a tasty snack or a crunchy topping for soups and salads.
Cook the carved bits
Keep the pieces you cut out when carving your pumpkin face! Roast them with a bit of oil and herbs and use in pasta, stir-fry, risotto, or just on their own.
Use uncarved pumpkins
If your pumpkin is still whole, you can cook it! Pumpkins taste great in soup, pie, or even cake. Plus, uncarved pumpkins make lovely autumn decorations - they come in all kinds of colours and shapes.
What about carved pumpkins?
If your pumpkin has been carved and sat outside with a candle, it’s not safe to eat. But don’t worry, there are still plenty of ways to reuse it!
Feed chickens
Got chickens, or know someone who does? They’ll love pumpkins! You can give them the seeds, the scooped-out bits, or the whole pumpkin (as long as it hasn’t gone mouldy).
Compost it
Pumpkins break down easily and make great compost. Chop yours into small pieces and pop it in your compost bin to create rich soil for your plants.
Make a bird feeder
Cut off the top of your pumpkin, fill it with birdseed, and hang it up with some string. Birds will love it, and when they’re done you can compost what’s left!
Bury it
If you have a garden, you can bury your pumpkin! It will naturally break down and feed the soil. Just take out the seeds first... unless you want surprise pumpkins next year!
Donate it
No garden? Check if a local farm, animal rescue, or community garden can use your pumpkin. Many animals, like pigs and goats, love pumpkins as treats!
What not to do
- Don’t dump pumpkins in woods or parks... they can make wild animals sick and spread disease.
- Don’t leave pumpkins to rot on the street or in your garden... it attracts pests and smells bad!
Let’s make Halloween greener
By reusing your pumpkin, you’re helping reduce food waste, protect nature, and keep Halloween fun and planet-friendly. Small actions like this make a big difference, so let’s all give our pumpkins a second life this year!
Image credit: Shutterstock.com/Neirfy