Everyone looks forward to the fall season and the pumpkin lattes, pumpkin spice treats and other delicacies that come with it. But according to the US Department of Energy, the United States grows nearly 2 billion pounds of pumpkin, resulting in an estimated 1.3 billion pounds tossed into landfills after Halloween. Reducing pumpkin waste is essential but more importantly, it is manageable while enjoying the season.
There are many ways to reuse your pumpkins instead of tossing them in the trash bin. For uncarved pumpkins, many delicious dishes can be made from its seeds to its guts, including roasted pumpkin seeds and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Check out these suggestions and tasty recipe ideas here.
What about Jack O' Lanterns? Did you know you can easily compost them right in your garden or donate them? We’ve gathered some sources on what to do with your pumpkin when the holidays are over. This article has some great tips to repurpose, instead of trashing the useful leftovers. For pumpkin composting, check these recommendations. With so many options, it only takes a little planning and some small steps to make a big difference with pumpkin waste alone. Why not reduce waste and enjoy it at the same time?
For more useful tips and information, follow us @OCWaste on social media, or check out additional resources on Earth911.com
