Five ways to recycle your Halloween pumpkin

Pumpkin patches are still proving popular with families this year.
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But what can you do with your Halloween pumpkin once the fun is over?

Over 20,000 tonnes of plastic and food waste is sent to landfill each year due to Halloween celebrations, but did you know that the inside of the pumpkin is edible?

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With party plans and trick-or-treating being cancelled this year, BusinessWaste.co.uk are calling for a more sustainable Halloween, whilst still keeping the festive spirit alive. The waste management company has put together five fun alternative uses for the vegetable of the season, the beloved pumpkin.

Picture: UnsplashPicture: Unsplash
Picture: Unsplash

Pumpkin bird feeder

If you have a spare pumpkin this Halloween season, a pumpkin bird feeder is a great garden addition to reduce waste and feed wildlife in the run up to winter.

You will need:

A pumpkin

Picture: Stacey HorlerPicture: Stacey Horler
Picture: Stacey Horler

Strong twine or rope

Twigs for perches

Bird seed

Simply cut your pumpkin in half to create a bowl shape, then using a knife carefully make holes in the side of the pumpkin for twigs to be inserted to make perches for your visitors. To finish, measure out some twine to hang the pumpkin in your garden and attach to your tree or branch. Once secure you can add bird seed and watch the wildlife come to you!

Pumpkin planter Picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4J4dvqnkLk/Pumpkin planter Picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4J4dvqnkLk/
Pumpkin planter Picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4J4dvqnkLk/

DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

In autumn favourite that you can make from home with leftovers from pumpkin carving! Vita Coco has crafted this delicious vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe, perfect for cosy nights by the fire.

Ingredients (makes 2 large glasses):

4 cups Vita Coco coconut milk

Pumpkin bread Picture: Simple VeganistaPumpkin bread Picture: Simple Veganista
Pumpkin bread Picture: Simple Veganista

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup maple syrup

½ tsp pumpkin spice mix

2 shots of coffee (optional)

Ingredients (to top):

Dairy-free whipped cream

A sprinkle of pumpkin spice

2 x cinnamon sticks

Method:

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Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend together until smooth, then pour into a medium-sized pan and heat over medium-high temperature until heated through.

Divide between two large glasses and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.

Top with a couple of cinnamon sticks and enjoy.

Pumpkin Planter

Before you think of putting your carved pumpkin in the bin, why not turn it into a seasonal planter? Simply fill your pumpkin with soil before planting your desired flowers and water for an on-trend and sustainable piece of autumnal decor.

Pumpkin Bread

This vegan pumpkin bread recipe from Simple Veganista is a delicious way to turn your pumpkin into a tasty treat and the other ingredients can be easily found in your cupboards.

Ingredients (makes 8-10 slices):

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280g flour (spelt, all-purpose, whole wheat, GF flour blend)

150g sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 heaping teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Pinch of mineral salt

1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract

75ml water or unsweetened almond milk

75ml oil

1 can or 338g pumpkin puree

Small handful of pumpkin seeds for topping (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, lightly grease loaf pan

Mix: In a medium size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. In a small bowl, combine oil, sugar, water/milk and vanilla. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture along with the pumpkin puree and mix well. Careful not to over mix, but be sure there are no clumps of flour. Taste batter, adjusting flavor or sweetness to your liking.

Bake: Pour batter into prepared loaf tin, place in oven, on center shelf, and bake for 55 – 60 minutes. Once done, remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Let cool completely before serving.

Store: Keep covered on the counter for 2 – 3 days. Warm in the toaster.

Pumpkin Face Mask

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Leave your face fresh and glowing with this super simple to make, Pumpkin Face Mask. Most of the ingredients can be found in your kitchen and it’s an all natural recipe, what more could you want for the perfect autumn pamper evening?

Ingredients (makes one face mask):

2 Tbsp organic canned pumpkin puree or 1 small pumpkin

1/2 tsp organic honey

1/2 tsp milk (skimmed, soy or almond)

Method:

Start with clean skin. Remove all makeup and wash your face with your regular cleanser.

Combine pumpkin puree, honey, and milk in a small bowl and mix well. If using a fresh pumpkin (or leftovers from a carved jack-o-lantern), scrape the insides and remove the seeds. Beat the gooey insides to a creamy pulp and mix with honey and milk.

Apply the mask using your fingers or a medium-sized makeup brush; avoid getting the mixture too close to the eyes. You can also apply to the neck and decolletage, but you’ll probably need to double the ingredients.

Allow the mask to set for about 20 minutes.

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Gently wash off the mask with a warm, damp washcloth and follow with a moisturizer.

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