Pumpkin carving is one of the best Halloween traditions. You can have fun and be creative, and at the end you have a fantastic decoration for the spooky season. However, it’s also important to think about the environment. A lot of people don’t know what to do with pumpkins, and lots sadly end up in landfill. We want to have a look at this here to explore the alternatives, including cooking, composting, and animal feed.
A huge problem
Stats say that in the UK around 18,000 tonnes (18 million kg) of pumpkin goes into landfill every year. The bulk of this is after Halloween. It’s an even bigger issue in the US because of the size and their love for the holiday. Data says a massive 454,000 tonnes (454 million kg) of pumpkin goes into landfills across the states.
The amount of waste here is incredibly sad, especially when almost every part of a pumpkin is useful for other things. There is also a massive impact on the environment. It can take two decades for a whole pumpkin to break down in landfill. At the same time, all the waste can release a massive amount of methane into the atmosphere.
Alternatives
Rather than throwing pumpkin away, it is better to look at different things you can do with it. Most importantly, there are plenty of recipes to use the various parts, including the flesh, the seeds, the skin, and even the stringy innards. It’s a good idea to have a look and try different things. However, remember that carving pumpkins typically have a milder flavour; you’ll need extra seasoning.
If you don’t like the flavour of pumpkin or have too much to eat, don’t throw any away. There are lots of different ways you can donate pumpkins in the UK to provide animal feed. For example, many farms, zoos, and animal sanctuaries happily accept them as long as you follow their respective terms. Anyone who keeps chickens or pigs can use them as feeds too.
Another option is to cut the pumpkin up and compost it. It’ll help create nutrient rich soil you can use to grow all kinds of things. This is much better than it sitting in landfill. If you don’t compost at home, you may be able to donate pumpkins to local composting programmes. The most important thing to keep in mind here is you need to remove all decor from a pumpkin. Some glitter and paint is fine, but try to clean up as much as you can.
One thing people worry about is what to do with pumpkins that have been sitting outside for weeks and starting to rot. Surprisingly, they are even better for composting because it will break down faster.
Talk to us about animal feed
JS Hubbuck Ltd is a great company to work with if you have animals. We provide a range of different high quality feeds from some of the best brands. This includes options for cows, sheep, horses, and more. If you want happy, healthy animals, it all starts with ensuring they have a good diet and get everything they need. We’re happy to supply it, and can offer detailed product information too.
If you have questions about animal feed and how to ensure your animals have the ideal diet, you can contact us. We can recommend products and then arrange delivery.