With Halloween just days away, local Joint Waste Teams are encouraging residents to make the most of their seasonal vegetables in a bid to reduce the 15 million pumpkins wasted annually.

Research shows that one of the biggest problems is that many people simply consider their pumpkin a decoration rather than a source of food.

Councillor Sue Coakley said: “Each year it is estimated that 18 thousand tonnes of edible pumpkin will be ditched nationally. While pumpkins and carved Jack O’lanterns are synonymous with Halloween, we are asking residents to take a moment to think about the waste created at this time of year and to try and reduce this if they can.

“Dishes such as soup can be inexpensive, warming on a cold winter’s evening, and a quick and easy way to use up spare pumpkin and other vegetables which may be beyond their best. The inedible parts of the pumpkin can be composted or recycled at the kerbside, avoiding the need for anything to end up in the bin.”

Councillor Chris McFarling, Cabinet Member for the Environment at the Forest of Dean District Council said: “When food is thrown away, the energy used to produce and transport the food is wasted too. Cooking the leftover pumpkin is just one activity that the whole family can get involved in to help reduce waste, while not missing out on any of the fun.

“And while growing your own pumpkins at home will take some advanced planning, the end result will be far more rewarding than shop bought ones and ultimately kinder to the environment too.”

Residents in the Forest of Dean are reminded that any leftover pumpkin can be recycled using the weekly kerbside food waste service. Anyone needing a food waste caddy can pick one up from the Council’s Reception in Coleford or request one to be delivered by calling 01594 810000 or by ordering online at www.fdean.gov.uk.