Millions of pumpkins are picked for carving every Halloween, becoming a staple decoration in homes and windows across the UK.
However, once October 31 has been and gone, many people are left wondering what to do with their pumpkins.
Around eight million are reportedly thrown away in the UK each year, despite there being several ways they can be reused or recycled instead.
If you have a leftover pumpkin at home, there are plenty of ways to make the most of it before reaching for the bin.
What can you use pumpkins for after Halloween?
Eat it
Pumpkins can be used for a variety of foods once they have been cleaned out.
Dominique Delacour, dairy expert at CAMBOZOLA, shared: “The best way to recycle your pumpkin after Halloween is to cook with it - never throw it away!
"Both the flesh, puplp and the seeds can be turned into something delicious.
"Roasted pumpkin works beautifully with creamy cheeses in puff pastry parcels, pasta bakes or toasties, while the seeds can be washed, seasoned and baked until golden for a crunchy topping or snack.
"It’s an easy way to cut down on waste and turn your Halloween leftovers into something comforting and indulgent for autumn.”
Grating the pumpkin pulp you pull out when carving could also be ideal for use in a pumpkin loaf, pie or muffin.
The fruit is high in vitamins A and C, as well as being a good source of fibre.
Craft it
Pumpkins don't just have to be used for food after Halloween, with several creative ways to give them a second life.
One option is to turn your pumpkin into a seasonal candle. Clean out the inside before adding melted wax, spices such as cinnamon and ginger, and a wick to fill your home with autumnal scents.
Leftover pumpkins can also be turned into planters. Remove the inside, add drainage holes and fill with potting soil and your choice of plants.
Another option is to make a bird feeder by cleaning out the pumpkin, cutting openings into the sides and filling it with bird seed before hanging it outside.
Make a face mask with it
Using pumpkin in a DIY face mask can be beneficial.
AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, are widely praised in the skincare world for their ability to help exfoliate and renew skin, and pumpkins are packed full of them.
Use it in your garden
Josh Novell, Director of Polhill Garden Centre, has shared that pumpkins can be used in your garden once they have been cleaned out.
He said: "Next, break the pumpkin up into small chunks. Large pieces take much longer to decompose.
"Cutting them into fist-sized chunks or smaller helps them break down quickly and release nutrients evenly into the soil.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is scattering pumpkin pieces across the surface; that’s an open invitation for rats and slugs.
"Always bury your pumpkin a few inches deep in the soil as this keeps pests away and helps the microbes get to work faster.”
“If you’re digging pumpkins into borders or beds, mix in some dry garden materials like leaves, straw or old compost.
"That stops the soil from getting too wet or slimy, and it balances out the carbon and nitrogen levels as the pumpkin breaks down.”
Dispose of it safely
If you do need to get rid of your pumpkin, then composting it would be the best option.
Chris Taylor from Chris Taylor Gardening shared: "Pumpkins break down quickly and make great compost material.
"Just remove any candle wax or decorations, chop it into smaller chunks, and add it to your compost heap.
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"The high moisture content helps balance drier materials like leaves or cardboard."
You could also offer it up to any gardeners or allotment owners who might be interested in taking it off your hands
Aside from that, putting it in a food waste recycling bin also works.
What do you do with your pumpkin once Halloween is over? Let us know in the comments.
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