Residents are advised to consider creative, no-carve pumpkin decorations and make the most of pumpkin flesh in various recipes, including soups, muffins, pasta dishes, and by roasting the seeds. Any unavoidable food waste, such as leftovers, peelings, eggshells, bread, meat, and dairy, can be placed in the weekly food waste collection.
After Halloween, pumpkins should have candles, wax, stickers, and decorations removed. If the flesh is edible, it should be used or frozen. Any remaining pumpkin should be cut into smaller pieces and placed in the food waste bin.
The council also promotes the reuse or swapping of dressing-up clothes, and suggests looking for second-hand costumes at charity shops or making outfits from existing materials. Costumes, wigs, capes, and decorations should be kept away from candles, fires, and other open flames. Battery-operated LED candles are recommended as a safer alternative for pumpkins and displays.
Used household batteries from decorations, lights, and toys must not be placed in any household bin. Residents should check for batteries before disposing of broken items. Used batteries should be placed in a clear, sealed plastic bag on top of a bin on collection day, not inside the bin.
Councillor Nicky Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, stated, “Halloween is a time for fun, creativity and family traditions. A few small changes can help food go further, save money and reduce waste. Painting a pumpkin, using its flesh in a recipe, reusing a costume and choosing LED lights are simple ways to make celebrations safer and more sustainable. Please remove candles and decorations from unwanted pumpkins, cut them up and put them in your food waste bin. Thank you to everyone already using the weekly service and helping create a cleaner, greener Bedford Borough.”
Families participating in trick-or-treating are encouraged to only knock on doors displaying a lit pumpkin or Halloween sign. Children are advised to stay with responsible adults, exercise caution near roads, and check treats before consumption.
Residents can find comprehensive food waste guidance, information about their bins, and check collection days on the Bedford Borough Council website.
