Pumpkin Rescue 2022

Are you ready for some frightening facts?

We will buy 39.9 million pumpkins this Halloween, but here’s the scary part – a whopping 22.2 million pumpkins will go to waste, left uneaten. That’s £32.6 million worth of edible food!

With the rising cost of living, the thought of wasting perfectly edible food gives us goosebumps!

Pumpkins aren’t just for decoration! Packed with vitamins and nutrients to boost our immune system, they also make healthy, filling and budget friendly meals. You can use the scooped-out innards to bulk out soups, stews and curries and the seeds can be roasted for a delicious snack or topping. Check out these delicious pumpkin recipes.

There are many more spooktacular savings to be had when it comes to Halloween.

Scary costumes don’t have to cost the Earth. Get creative with what you already have at home! Can you upcycle an old costume? Dig deep and you might find a few skeletons lurking in your closet! Here are some budget friendly costume ideas to get you started.

If you’re hosting a party, make sure to follow these tips to reduce food waste and save money. A bit of portion planning, savvy shopping and freezer know-how can help keep your party shocking for all the right reasons.

Lastly, when it’s all over, don’t forget to compost your pumpkin at home or recycle it in your food waste collection bin (in participating areas only). You can check to see if your council provides a food waste collection service here.

For more information on reducing, reusing and recycling, visit www.recycledevon.org.