Before tossing your Halloween pumpkin into the trash, consider giving it a second life. From homemade dog treats to skincare, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this seasonal favorite.
Every Halloween, millions of pumpkins are purchased across the United States for carving and decorating. Unfortunately, much of that pumpkin ends up in landfills instead of being put to good use.
According to figures cited from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated 80% of Halloween pumpkins go to waste, representing approximately 1.6 billion pounds of discarded pumpkin.
Hardy Heberle, Chief Marketing Officer at Winz.io, encourages households to rethink how they use leftover pumpkins. Rather than throwing away the seeds, flesh and shells, there are several practical ways to reduce waste.
Here are five easy ideas to try this fall.
1. Make Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats
Pumpkin is a great source of fiber and can support healthy digestion in dogs when served plain and in moderation.
How to make them:
- Combine cooked, mashed pumpkin with plain oats and a spoonful of xylitol-free peanut butter.
- Mix until you have a dough that can be shaped.
- Form small biscuits and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until firm.
- Allow them to cool completely before serving.
Tip: Always use plain pumpkin without added sugar or spices. Check peanut butter ingredients carefully, as xylitol is toxic to dogs.
2. Roast Pumpkin Seeds for a Healthy Snack
Don’t throw away those pumpkin seeds! They’re packed with nutrients, including zinc, magnesium and beneficial plant compounds.
How to prepare them:
- Remove the seeds from the pumpkin and rinse away any remaining pulp.
- Pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Toss with olive oil, a pinch of salt and your favorite seasonings.
- Spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
- Roast at 325°F for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden and crisp.
Enjoy them as a snack or sprinkle them over salads, roasted vegetables and soups for extra crunch.
3. Turn Your Pumpkin Into Garden Compost
Even if your pumpkin is no longer suitable for cooking, it can still be useful in the garden.
Pumpkins contain approximately 90% water and provide organic matter and nutrients, including potassium, as they decompose.
How to compost your pumpkin:
- Remove candles, decorations, stickers and any nonbiodegradable materials.
- Cut the pumpkin into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition.
- Add the pieces to your compost bin along with dry leaves, cardboard or other brown materials.
- Turn the compost occasionally to help it break down evenly.
You can also bury small pieces in an appropriate garden compost trench, where they will gradually decompose and enrich the soil.
Tip: Avoid composting pumpkins covered in glitter, paint or other potentially harmful decorative materials.
4. Get Creative With Sweet and Savory Recipes
Pumpkin soup may be a fall classic, but there are plenty of other ways to use pumpkin in the kitchen.
Try these simple ideas:
- Pumpkin pancakes: Add cooked pumpkin purée and cinnamon to your favorite pancake batter for a seasonal breakfast.
- Pumpkin mac and cheese: Stir pumpkin purée into your cheese sauce for extra creaminess.
- Pumpkin hummus: Blend cooked pumpkin with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic.
- Pumpkin curry: Simmer cubed pumpkin with coconut milk, curry spices and vegetables.
- Pumpkin muffins: Mix pumpkin purée into muffin batter with cinnamon and nutmeg.
For homemade pumpkin purée, peel and cube the pumpkin, roast until tender, then blend until smooth.
Important: Use only fresh, edible pumpkins that have been kept clean and properly stored. Pumpkins that have been carved and left outdoors for extended periods should not be used for cooking.
5. Try a DIY Pumpkin Face Mask
Pumpkin isn’t just for eating. It contains naturally occurring enzymes and compounds that have made it a popular ingredient in skincare formulations.
For a simple homemade mask, combine:
- ¼ cup plain, cooked and cooled pumpkin purée
- 1 tablespoon honey
Mix until smooth, apply a thin layer to clean skin and leave on for approximately 10 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.
Although some DIY recipes suggest adding cinnamon, it can irritate sensitive skin and is best avoided. Always patch test homemade skincare before applying it to your face.
One More Thing: Don’t Leave Pumpkins Out for Wildlife
While it may seem environmentally friendly to leave old pumpkins outside for animals, experts caution against the practice.
“Be careful not to simply leave leftovers out for wildlife as pumpkins are not natural to the woodlands and not all animals should eat them,” Heberle advises.
Rotting pumpkins can also attract pests and expose animals to spoiled food. Painted pumpkins, glitter and other decorations create additional risks.
Instead, compost your pumpkin responsibly or dispose of it through a local organic waste collection program.
Sources and expert commentary:
