What To Do With Halloween Leftovers: Pumpkins and Candy

The day after Halloween, we all face the familiar question: "What should we do with the pumpkins and candy?"

Pumpkin Reuse & Recycle

It’s surprising to learn that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates Americans buy about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins each year for the holiday. Tragically, over 1 billion pounds—more than 80%—are discarded after Halloween, ending up in landfills. This not only wastes food but also contributes to the production of methane, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere over 28 times more effectively than carbon dioxide. Many people believe that food decomposes naturally in landfills, but in reality, these sites lack the necessary nutrients for proper composting. Instead, they become a source of pollution due to the large volume of organic waste that goes unrecycled. It’s crucial for us to rethink how we manage these post-holiday leftovers.

Candy: Rethink, Refuse & Reduce

In recent years, there's been a growing movement to re-evaluate the tradition of handing out candy on Halloween. Each year, Americans spend a staggering $4.1 billion on Halloween treats, as reported by S&P Global Market Intelligence, with about $400 million worth of candy going uneaten. Moreover, the small packaging of these candies contributes significantly to plastic waste, compounding environmental concerns. This highlights a significant issue of both food and plastic waste. Rather than defaulting to giving out candy, it's worth considering what kids actually enjoy and finding alternatives that reduce waste and contribute to a healthier, more satisfying Halloween experience.

Candy Alternatives:

• Healthier snacks: Offer apple sauces, crackers, and fresh fruits like apples and tangerines;

• Festive items: Small pumpkins and holiday decorations can also serve as delightful treats;

• Creative recycle gadgets: Small and like-new toys that your kids have outgrown;

• Educational gifts: stationery items to inspire creativity or gently used books to encourage reading.

Consider donating leftover candy to local and national initiatives, like the following programs:

• Operation Gratitude | Halloween Candy Give-Back Program: Operation Gratitude

• Treats for Troops: Soldiers' Angels

• Dentistry for Children and Adolescents: Children's Dent

Or bring the leftover candy to the office and donate it to your hungry co-workers—a sweet fix to ward off any hangry moments!

The ZIRAN community has come up with several strategies to minimize pumpkin waste after Halloween:

• Create various pumpkin dishes while roasting the seeds for a tasty and healthy snack.

Chocolate Pumpkin Twisted Rolls,

(photo courtesy of Shirlly)

• Composting leftover pumpkins in your backyard, compost bin, or compost pile can be a rewarding way to enrich your soil. A charming story was shared: the forgotten pumpkins happened to be placed in a perfect spot, and a surprise pumpkin patch sprouted the following year. This is a wonderful example of nature's cycle.

• Connect with local farms or neighbors who have livestock, to provide pumpkins as feed for animals; pigs, in particular, love pumpkins as treats

• For those feeling generous, leaving pumpkins in your yard can serve as a natural food source for wildlife. Just be cautious of the distance from homes to avoid attracting bears or rodents.

• Pumpkins can be creatively repurposed as festive decorations for Thanksgiving, bringing joy long after Halloween has ended.

• Place in regular curbside organic recycling bins.

• Check local pumpkin dropoff sites or pumpkin smash community events: ZIRAN has created a Google Map of Pumpkin Recycle sites in the Twin Cities Metro Area, allowing you to locate the closest one to you.

(photo courtesy of Jinny)

By rethinking our approach to Halloween treats, we can not only diminish waste but also enhance the festive experience for children, offering excitement and rewards that extend beyond traditional sweets. Embracing these alternatives also lessens our environmental impact, making the holiday more sustainable for future generations.