Experts want Brits to help avoid throwing them into landfill
14:11, 31 Oct 2025
Households should put pumpkins in the compost bin or pile(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
It’s Halloween and thousands of UK households will be craving and displaying pumpkins for the weekend, but they have been urged not to throw them in black bin bags after the celebrations.
Instead, households should put pumpkins in the compost bin or pile, or alternatively use their food waste bin.
This will help avoid throwing them into landfill and damaging the environment as a result.
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Josh Clarke, from Clear It Waste said: “Each Halloween, pumpkins are consistently disposed of incorrectly. Do not put pumpkins in your general household waste bin.
“They will decompose in the landfill and produce methane gas. This is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and is damaging for the environment.
“Instead look to compost. Remove any candles or paint/decorations, and place the pumpkin in a compost bin or pile.
“Chopping the pumpkin into smaller pieces can also help it decompose more efficiently.
“Alternatively, use your food waste bin. Check with your local council or recycling service to see if they offer food waste collection for organic materials like pumpkins.”
Clear It Waste aren’t alone in their calls against putting pumpkins in big bags, as local coucils are also urging Brits to despose of them properly.
Emma Stuart, Worcestershire County Council’s Waste Prevention Project Manager, added: “People might think leaving pumpkins out for wildlife is a good idea, but rotting pumpkins can actually harm animals, especially hedgehogs.
“We encourage everyone to enjoy their pumpkins to the fullest so try out some new recipes, or dispose of pumpkins responsibly by composting or repurposing.”
Rainbow Rubbish Removals has estimated 30 million pumpkins are bought in the UK for Halloween.
This results in more than 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkins ending up in the rubbish bin.
Worse still, it can take up to 20 years for a pumpkin to fully break down in landfill.
