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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38 Comments
- emaleigh20 daysI don't normally get pumpkins (Aka I never do) but IF I do I will follow this article ;) -3rd period CCR
crazychristine15 daysSame here. I NEVER have carved a pumpkin before but lets save them
hunter1026421 daysI love pumpkins
hthn4521 daysSame 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.
tiger12994515 daysI 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.
rishaan1122 daysI 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_detwiler22 daysseeds a good snack :)
cheyenneh583123 days#SAVETHEPUMPKINS Many people in the world dont get food and we just throw it away
rayray_dekufan23 daysI can't believe so many pumpkins are wasted- EVEN WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY WAS TO NOT WAST THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
daniel_khoshnaw24 daysthat is sad they have to stop
emmaanna26 daysI don't carve no pumpkins!
lolfortnitegod26 daysMerry christmas
hi1234qwerty12323 dayswow
