Recycling pumpkins from gourd to ground

Aberdeenshire Council is asking residents to use their food recycling caddies this Halloween to reduce pumpkin-based food waste. 

More than a fifth of what ends up in Aberdeenshire's kerbside black-lid bins is food waste; this spikes across Halloween when pumpkins are carved, displayed, and ultimately thrown away. 

By using the weekly food recycling service, the council will help to turn residents' Halloween leftovers into nutrient-rich fertiliser or compost for the next generation of crops. 

Councillor Alan Turner, Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: "It's always fantastic to see so many creatively carved pumpkins on display. The good news is that leftover jack-o'-lanterns don't have to go to waste in Aberdeenshire. They can be recycled using the green food caddies that are picked up every week from the kerbside." 

To recycle leftover pumpkins: 

Food waste is collected each week from the kerbside and residents can get an indoor and outdoor food waste caddy for free from their local recycling centre or service point if theirs is broken or if they need more than one.   

Food waste bag liners for the caddies can also be collected from household recycling centres, council libraries, or a spare can be tied one to an outdoor food caddie and the collection crew will leave a new roll where they have stock available. 

Simple changes at home make a real difference because recycling creates jobs, boosts the economy, conserves natural resources, and helps to protect public money. 

Learn more about food waste caddies and liners at aberdeenshire.gov.uk/RecyclingEquipment