5 ways to go green this Halloween

When buying a pumpkin, it’s easy to nip to your nearest supermarket, but why not support your local businesses instead? There are a variety of farms in the National Forest which offer locally grown pumpkins, such as Cattows Farm based in Leicestershire, home to one of the largest pumpkin patches in the UK, offering over 40 varieties of pumpkins, squashes and gourds. Snarestone Farm are also a local grower based in Swadlincote who offer some of the largest varieties in the area. By buying your pumpkins locally you are not only giving local businesses a helping hand but reducing your food miles and getting better quality pumpkin too!

Instead of buying pre-packaged sweets and cakes, embrace the joy of baking your own Halloween treats. Whip up some spooky Halloween biscuits or cookies that are sure to impress trick-or-treaters. If you're planning a Halloween party, consider making pumpkin cupcakes, toffee apples, or meringue ghosts for a hauntingly delicious feast. For those who aren't keen bakers, look for locally produced goodies with eco-friendly, recyclable packaging to satisfy your sweet tooth without harming the planet.

Recycling is the key to a green Halloween! Most pumpkins in the UK are purchased at this time of year and can mean a lot of pumpkin waste is left behind when the Halloween festivities are over. Pumpkins can be recycled in many ways, from using the inside to make a delicious soup or pie, or slicing it up and leaving it out in your garden - which wildlife will thank you for, especially as food sources become harder to find this time of year! However, the most simple and easy thing you can do is to make sure you don’t throw it away and put it on the compost instead. This way you won’t be adding to the millions of pumpkins that end of in landfill each year and contribute to harmful emissions.