COMMUNITIES across Leicester and Leicestershire are being urged to get involved to help prevent food and household waste this Halloween.
Across the city and county, community groups and organisations are holding a series of themed events – including cooking classes and crafting sessions.
There will also be a 'pumpkin smash' event at Stokes Wood Allotments in Leicester, where you can bring along your carved pumpkins for composting.
It’s estimated up to 15 million pumpkins are binned in the UK every Halloween – but the flesh, seeds and even the stringy bits can be used to serve up some delicious treats instead. Also, once you have finished with your lantern, if it can’t be eaten, it can go in a compost bin.
However, it’s not just food waste that increases at this time of year. Two out of every five Halloween costumes get thrown away after just one wear. This means an estimated seven million items of clothing are sent to landfill every year in the UK.
Residents are encouraged to make their own costumes from household items, buy pre-loved outfits and ensure old costumes get a second lease of life by donating them to charity or re-use shops after the spooky season.
Councillor Adam Clarke, Leicester’s deputy city mayor for the environment, said: “Food waste is an important environmental issue. The majority of food waste in the UK comes from households, not restaurants, businesses or even supermarkets. The average family of four can save just over £60 per month by reducing their food waste.
“Across Leicester, we have thousands of dedicated allotment-growers who are committed to reducing food waste, so it’s great to see these events happening that will help to spread that message.
"We’re keen to encourage people to recycle more, and we can offer discounted composting bins through www.getcomposting.com .”
Councillor Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda, said: “Halloween costumes and decorations can cause environmental problems if they aren’t disposed of correctly. I’m delighted to see local community groups giving residents the opportunity to make more sustainable choices.
“We’d encourage residents to dispose of Halloween items correctly, such as taking their textiles to a charity shop or textile bank. This will help us in our aim of creating a cleaner, greener Leicestershire.”
For more information on spooky but sustainable Halloween celebrations, or to sign up for events, please visit: www.lesswaste.org.uk
To find delicious pumpkin recipes, visit https://www.hubbub.org.uk/how-to-eat-pumpkin
For more details about the events at Stokes Wood allotment, email carryoncomposting1@gmail.com
You can purchase a discounted compost bin at www.getcomposting.com
To find your nearest recycling and household waste site, Leicester city residents should visit www.leicester.gov.uk/recycling and county residents www.leicestershire.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/waste-and-recycling
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