The Surprising Truth About Halloween Pumpkins
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Every fall, Americans buy tens of millions of decorative pumpkins. Some are carved into spooky jack-o'-lanterns, while others are used simply for display. Unfortunately, the interest in these colorful gourds fades soon after Halloween. Experts estimate that over one billion pounds of pumpkins — more than 80 percent of the 1.3 billion pounds purchased annually — end up in landfills.
The situation is no different in other countries that celebrate Halloween. According to Pumpkins for the People, a community-based composting service in Washington, DC, over two billion pounds (907 million kg) of pumpkins are thrown away worldwide each year.
In addition to creating massive food waste, discarded pumpkins emit large amounts of methane as they rot in landfills. This greenhouse gas traps significantly more heat than carbon dioxide and is a major contributor to climate change.
Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this pollution problem. If the fruits were used as decor, scoop out the edible insides. Roasted pumpkin seeds make a nutritious and tasty snack. The flesh can be used to make a hearty soup, a creamy puree, or a delicious pie. Alternatively, you can donate the pumpkins to local farms or even zoos, where they can serve as feed for animals.
Sagging jack-o'-lanterns can be dropped off at a local compost collection center. Even better, check if your city or town hosts a pumpkin-smash party and have fun smashing them with friends! The best part? The remains will be collected and composted after the event.
You can also fill pumpkin shells with grains and leave them in the yard for birds, squirrels, and other garden critters. If your pumpkin is too far gone to salvage, bury it in your yard. It will naturally decompose and enrich the soil.
Have a safe and sustainable Halloween!
Resources: greenmatters.com, Hubbub.org, pumpkinsforthepeople.com
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42 Comments
beachgurly20125 daysyeah we should definitely save the pumpkins also October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month so donate to some Breast Cancer research programs!
coolvishwaa45613 days#SAVEPUMPKINS
tryuhfcr5t6ctr530 dayswow the pumpkins
elaynakiseabout 1 monththis is the best story in the would am rite every one- elaynakiseabout 1 monththis is so cool
troublemaker87about 1 monthI love carving pumpkins normally I'll take out the guts and put them off to the side then I carve the pumpkin and when I'm done I put all the guts and cut out pieces in a five gallon bucket with so leaves and other composting stuff like banana peels and apple cores
somyung11about 1 monththose plant is going extinct
tiger129945about 1 monthsave the pumpkins people
crazychristineabout 1 monthOkay, lets do it
leolover72about 1 monthsave the pumpkins!!
unicorncity316about 1 monthMost people didn't know that you could donate them. But, there are people who come around and collect the pumkins in cities that people are throwing away. They use them to cook and bake food for the poor or homeless people. There are even some people who know about this and put money, food, clothes, or even give plots of land to people, and they put this INSIDE OF THE PUMPKINS!! Super cool, right?
