Halloween is just around the corner, and while carving pumpkins is one of the best bits of spooky season, there’s one scary fact that’s worth remembering: in the UK, over 15 million pumpkins are binned every year once the trick-or-treating is over.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Your leftover pumpkin can do a lot of good — for wildlife, your garden, and even your skin. Here are a few eco-friendly, non-food ways to make sure your Halloween pumpkin doesn’t go to waste.
🌿 1. Compost It Properly
Pumpkins are 100% biodegradable, so they make brilliant compost material. Simply chop yours into smaller pieces and add it to your compost heap or food waste bin.
If you’re composting at home, try mixing the pumpkin with drier materials like fallen leaves or cardboard to keep the balance right. No compost bin? Lewisham offers food waste collection — and will take your pumpkin away to be turned into nutrient-rich soil.
🦔 2. Feed Wildlife Safely
Your pumpkin can be a treat for garden visitors like foxes, badgers, and birds — just make sure it’s safe to eat. Remove any candle wax, paint, or seasoning before leaving it outside.
- Chop into small chunks and scatter them for wildlife.
- Rinse and dry the seeds — birds especially love these!
- If it’s started to go mouldy, skip feeding and compost it instead
💡 Tip: Check your local wildlife rescue or community Facebook group — some sanctuaries accept leftover pumpkins to feed their animals.
🐦 3. Make a Natural Bird Feeder
Give your pumpkin a second life as a rustic bird feeder. Cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the insides, and pierce two holes opposite each other near the rim. Thread through some sturdy string or twine to hang it from a tree branch, and fill it with birdseed.
It’s a quick DIY project that’s great for kids too — and it helps local birds as the weather turns colder.
🌱 4. Save the Seeds for Next Year
Before you throw away your pumpkin, scoop out a few seeds to grow your own for next Halloween.
- Rinse and dry them thoroughly.
- Spread on a tray and leave in a cool, dry spot for about a week.
- Store in a paper envelope somewhere dark until spring.
Come April or May, plant them in pots or directly in the ground — and by autumn, you’ll have your very own homegrown pumpkins ready for carving or cooking.
Once Halloween is over and the lanterns are out, it’s easy to just chuck your pumpkin in the bin — but giving it a second life is so much more rewarding. Whether you compost it, feed the birds, or even turn it into a beauty treatment, your leftover pumpkin can still make a positive impact.
And if you do fancy eating it, don’t miss our companion post — [Our Favourite Pumpkin Recipes for Autumn] — packed with easy, warming dishes to enjoy all season long.