Residents encouraged to recycle pumpkins during Halloween

Residents across the district are being encouraged to recycle their leftover pumpkins this Halloween by using their weekly food waste collection service.

Cannock Chase Council is expecting a seasonal increase in food waste collections as households dispose of unwanted pumpkins.

Residents can put chopped up pumpkins into their food waste caddies which are emptied weekly. But are asked to make sure they remove candles, lights or other plastic decorations from the pumpkin before it is recycled.

Since its launch in April, the food waste recycling service has collected an average of more than 60 tonnes of food waste every week from homes across the district. This Halloween marks the first time many residents will be able to recycle their pumpkins through the new service.

While some households may choose to make soups, pies or other recipes using leftover pumpkin, it is estimated that around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are thrown away uneaten in the UK each year after Halloween.

Residents looking for inspiration can find a range of ideas and recipes on the Love Food Hate Waste website.

Food waste collected from homes is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is converted into renewable energy. The digestate produced during the process is then used in agriculture to help improve soil quality.

Councillor John Parkes, Portfolio Leader for Operational Services and Parks said: “Our residents have been fantastic in supporting the new food waste service which sees Cannock Chase as one of the top-performing food waste recyclers in Staffordshire.

“We expect to see an increase in our food waste tonnage after Halloween, as people finish with their pumpkins. But before throwing them away, I’d encourage residents to have a look at the ideas and recipes on the Love Food Hate Waste website.

“If they do need to dispose of their pumpkins, placing them in the food waste caddy means they can be recycled and turned into renewable energy.”