Go Green This Hallowe’en

PEOPLE across Carmarthenshire are being urged to go green this Hallowe’en.

From getting the most from your pumpkin to creating your own spooky costumes, there many ways in which you can enjoy Hallowe’en and be kinder to the environment at the same time.

Carmarthenshire County Council has teamed up with Recycle for Wales to encourage people to reduce the ‘scary’ amount of waste still thrown away in landfill sites.

In the UK, we needlessly throw away around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins a year. But it’s scary to think that, once October 31 is over most of these pumpkin lanterns are unnecessarily thrown away as rubbish and sent to landfill.

Karen Fulham, Waste Minimisation and Recycling Officer said: “Hallowe’en is a great time of year to kick-start a drive to reducing the amount of waste we throw away.

“Make the most of the whole pumpkin – the insides can be served up as tasty Hallowe’en treats. The inner pulp can be used to make a pumpkin soup or risotto and the pumpkin seeds can be toasted or roasted in the oven and sprinkled over muesli. Your garden birds will love the seeds as a treat too!

“When you’ve finished with your lantern, you can compost the pumpkin shell at home along with items including tea bags, eggshells and vegetable peelings. If you don’t have a compost bin, the council sells them for just £18 including delivery. And if you can’t compost at home but are on the council’s green bin scheme, break up your pumpkin shell and put it in with your food waste.”

Top tips for a green Hallowe’en:

• Be creative and make your own costume from old clothes and scrap materials.

• Search charity shops for suitable items to dress up in – remember you can customise them too!

• If you’re hosting a Hallowe’en party, email your party invites to save paper and avoid using disposable plates, cups, cutlery, napkins and tablecloths.

• Rather than buying garlands and decorations, try making your own from scrap paper. If you do buy decorations, buy long-lasting ones that you can use year after year.

• Trick or treat with a reusable cloth bag instead of a plastic bag.

• If you’re stocking up on treats, choose those that use little or no packaging.

Compost bins can be purchased from Carmarthenshire County Council for £18 including delivery, by clicking online at ilocal.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/pay or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.