Households told not to throw pumpkins in black bins after Halloween | UK | News
Households in the UK have been told not to throw pumpkins into bins after Halloween.
Carving pumpkins and displaying them outside homes has long been a tradition at Halloween, and has become more popular in the UK in recent years. According to folklore, carving a scary face on a pumpkin is thought to ward off evil spirits, but nowadays it’s seen more as a sign that a family is participating in Halloween festivities and welcoming trick-or-treaters. While pumpkins are now part of the spooky fun on October 31st, households need to make sure they dispose of the orange fruit properly once the celebration is over.
Waste experts are urging families not to throw pumpkins in public bins to avoid sending them to landfill after Halloween. Instead, households should place pumpkins in a compost bin or pile, or alternatively use food waste bins.
When your pumpkin starts to show signs of rot, such as browning, molding, or softening, you should get rid of it as soon as possible. This usually happens about three to five days after carving, but may be longer in colder weather.
Josh Clark, Clean Up Waste He said: “Pumpkins are constantly thrown away the wrong way every Halloween. Don’t throw pumpkins in the general household waste bin.”
“They will decompose in the landfill and produce methane gas, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and harms the environment.
“Compost instead. Remove any candles or paint/decorations and place the pumpkin in a compost bin or pile. Chopping the pumpkin into smaller pieces can also help it decompose more efficiently.”
“Alternatively, use your food waste bin. Check with your local council or recycling service to see if they offer food waste collection for organic items such as pumpkins.”
According to experts Rainbow Garbage RemovalAn estimated 30 million pumpkins are purchased for Halloween in the UK, resulting in more than 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkins being thrown into the bin.
It can take up to 20 years to completely decompose a pumpkin in a landfill, so the environmental impact is much greater than most people realize. As pumpkins rot, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, so proper disposal of the fruit is important.
Local councils across the UK are now running pumpkin picking and composting programmes, urging families to think twice before throwing away their pumpkins.
Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment Emma Stokes added: “People may think it’s a good idea to leave pumpkins out for wildlife, but rotting pumpkins can actually harm animals, especially hedgehogs.
“We encourage everyone to enjoy pumpkins to the fullest, so try new recipes or dispose of pumpkins responsibly by composting or repurposing.”
