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
vegykiraloryabout 1 monthWow, I can't believe people who celebrate Halloween waste so many pumpkins, I mean come on I love pumpkins.
enigmaticreaderabout 1 monthNoted, didn’t know you could donate them
hunter10264about 1 monthI love pumpkins
hthn45about 1 monthSame here, I don't like pumpkin. And my mom told me not to waste any food at dinner. So I just figured that I have to take whatever I don't like on my plate or else I'll get grounded. sure enough though, sometimes i don't eat the pumpkin.
goldendoodlemom16 daysOMG ME TOO!!
tiger129945about 1 monthI don’t like pumpkin but like my mom always says, if it’s on your plate then you have to eat it, whether you like it or not.
rishaan11about 1 monthI don't like pumpkin, but I know that there are many people out there who don't have food to eat, so you have to be grateful for what you are given.- tj_detwilerabout 1 monthseeds a good snack :)
cheyenneh5831about 1 month#SAVETHEPUMPKINS Many people in the world dont get food and we just throw it away
rayray_dekufanabout 1 monthI can't believe so many pumpkins are wasted- EVEN WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY WAS TO NOT WAST THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
daniel_khoshnawabout 1 monththat is sad they have to stop
emmaannaabout 2 monthsI don't carve no pumpkins!
