holiday

A billion pound problem

November 1, 2023 By EarthWise 1 Comment

Nearly two billion pounds of pumpkins are grown each year in the U.S. But we actually don’t eat the vast majority of them. Instead, most pumpkins are carved or otherwise decorated, and placed on porches across the country during Halloween. But now that the holiday has come and gone, what happens to all those sagging masterpieces?

Simply put, we usually just throw them out. In the days after Halloween, as much as 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkin winds up in landfills. When left there to decompose, the pumpkins produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas that affects climate change by contributing to increased warming.

Here are some ways to keep pumpkins out of the landfills this year and make Halloween festivities more sustainable.

If the pumpkin is still in good shape, use the outer, meaty part of the pumpkin to make a fresh version of pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree is a common ingredient in baked goods like muffins, breads, and pies, especially during this time of the year. The pumpkin seeds can also be scooped out, rinsed, and salted or spiced, and then baked in the oven, resulting in a delicious snack.

Pumpkins also have the potential to turn into great soil through composting. Pumpkins are just over 90% water, which help naturally add moisture to compost piles that need to be damp to effectively decompose food waste.

If eating or composting the pumpkins isn’t an option, consider donating them to a local farm. Farmers will often collect pumpkins as treats for their pigs, goats, and other animals.

The scariest part of Halloween shouldn’t be the waste.

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Web Links

Halloween is over. Here’s the most sustainable way to get rid of your jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins, and gourds

Say Boo to Landfills – Compost Your Pumpkin After Halloween!

Photo, posted November 4, 2010, courtesy of William Warby via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

The Spooky Reality | Earth Wise

October 23, 2023 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

According to the National Retail Federation, American consumers will spend a whopping $12.2 billion on Halloween this year, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion. A record number of people – 73% of Americans – will also participate in Halloween-related activities this year, up from 69% in 2022. But it’s not just our wallets that take a beating.

Halloween generates a frightening amount of waste. Picture all those flimsy and often single-use costumes, polyester cobwebs, plastic-wrapped candy, mass-produced decorations, and so forth. Scary stuff! Here are some simple tricks to make the holiday more sustainable this year.

Invest in quality costumes. Those mass-produced costumes leave the largest carbon footprint from Halloween. They are often made from non-recyclable plastic and most end up in landfills by mid-November. By renting, thrifting, swapping, or making your own costumes, many of the negative impacts of dressing up for the holiday can be avoided.

Find environmentally-friendly decorations and supplies. For example, carve local pumpkins and either save the seeds and flesh to eat later, compost it, or feed it to animals. Make your own spooky decorations. If you do buy decorations, ensure that they are durable and reusable. And use wicker baskets, old bags, or pillowcases when trick-or-treating.

Finally, purchase organic and fair trade candy if you’re able to do so. Some of the largest candy manufacturers are major drivers of deforestation and species extinction around the globe due to their demand for sugar, palm oil, and cocoa beans.

Together, we can “green” Halloween.

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Web Links

Halloween Data Center

Photo, posted November 13, 2019, courtesy of Christian Collins via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Greening Halloween | Earth Wise

October 26, 2022 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween participation is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year. Spending on Halloween festivities by the 69% of Americans who celebrate is expected to add up to $10.6 billion in 2022 – or more than $100 per person – reaching a new record high.

Halloween generates a mind-boggling amount of waste. Picture all the flimsy single-use costumes, plastic candy wrappers, mass-produced decorations, and so on. Here are some tricks to treat you to a greener holiday.

Our first trick is to invest in quality costumes. Mass-produced (and often single use) costumes leave the largest carbon footprint from Halloween. They are often made from unsustainable materials, manufactured in countries with poor labor standards, and too many end up in landfills by mid-November. By renting, thrifting, swapping, or making your own costumes, many of the negative impacts of dressing up for the holiday can be avoided.

Our second trick is to invest in environmentally-friendly decorations and supplies. For example, carve local pumpkins and save the seeds and flesh to eat later. Make your own spooky decorations. If you do buy decorations, ensure that they are durable and reusable. And use a wicker basket, old bag, or pillowcase to trick-or-treat.

Our third trick is to pass out organic and fair trade candy. Some of the largest candy manufacturers are major drivers of deforestation and species extinction around the globe due to their demand for sugar, palm oil, and cocoa beans.

If you’ve already spent your $100 this year, consider these changes for next year. It’s never too late to become a superhero.

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