Have a waste free Halloween!

It’s Friday the 13th and we’re thinking about how terrifying waste can be.

Studies show that 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins go to waste across the UK each year, which is equivalent to the weight of 1.5 Brighton & Hove double decker buses.

But, your pumpkins and gourds don’t have to end up as ‘Hallo-waste’!

We’re encouraging residents to make the most of their pumpkins and have a waste free Halloween this year.

Make the most of your pumpkins

Every part of the pumpkin is edible, including the seeds, flesh and its stringy slimy centre.

When carving your pumpkin, be sure to scoop out as much as you can to make the most of its sweet nutty flavour in a soup or a stew.

The Brighton & Hove Food Partnership have some fantastic pumpkin based recipes, including a Moroccan inspired slow cooked stew.

Or, how about swapping out the squash for pumpkin in their heartwarming autumnal soup recipe?

Pumpkin seeds make a great healthy snack and are a superb topping on soup. Find out how to perfectly roast them.

Alternatively, hand crafting your Jack o’ Lantern from cardboard or other craft materials is a great option to avoid food waste altogether.

Reduce food waste by composting

When you’ve finished with your carved pumpkin, it’s ideal to put it in your garden waste bin or composter.

Residents with outside space can order a wheelie bin for garden waste, which we'll collect from your home every 2 weeks. Learn more about garden waste collections on our garden waste webpage.

We also offer discounted composters for food and garden waste from just £12.50 for residents with gardens, big or small. Learn more about the scheme on our composting webpage.

If you don’t have the space for a green bin or composter, how about joining Brighton & Hove Food Partnership’s fantastic community composting scheme?

If you don’t have a garden waste bin or composter, or have access to one, please put your pumpkin in your general waste bin.

Get creative with your costume

Studies show that 90% of people around the UK buy new costumes every year and that 2 in 5 of those costumes are worn once before being thrown away.

Why not get a little creative with your costume this Halloween?

A black and white striped t-shirt and chunky brown belt can be fashioned into a pirate or an old pillowcase can make a variety of costumes for children, including a ghost or even a convincing Gollum.

Charity, second-hand and vintage shops across the city often have fantastic Halloween sections. Explore local sustainable clothes shops and charity shops using Circular Brighton & Hove’s map of local initiatives.  

There are plenty of ways to get dressed up this Halloween that are free, low cost and great for the environment.

Unwanted clothes and costumes can be donated to charity shops across the city or at one of our many textile recycling points.

Have a DIY Halloween

Studies show that decorations contribute to the 2,000 tonnes of Halloween plastic waste across the UK each year.

Halloween is a perfect time to get crafty with paper, card and old ribbons to make some spooky decorations.

How about handmade spider pompom bunting? Or tombstones made from old cereal boxes?

As well as being made with love, these decorations can be used year after year and don’t have a negative impact on the environment.

Making positive changes isn’t scary

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Chair of the City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee, said: “Making positive changes for the environment doesn’t have to be scary, so we’re encouraging residents to have a waste free Halloween this year.

“It’s an opportunity to get creative with your friends and family and make the most of what we’ve already got around the house to have a fun and sustainable Halloween celebration.

“Pumpkins are too good to be thrown away. By baking, roasting and toasting, residents are taking steps to protect the planet. Remember, carving pumpkins are still edible!

“If you’re unlikely to eat the pumpkin, it’s best not to carve one so it isn’t going to waste. Why not give a gourd, swede or butternut squash a spooky makeover if you’re more likely to eat them?

“By thinking outside the box and getting creative, we can make all make a big difference on our environment this Halloween.”