Halloween is now over, time to put the costumes away, enjoy the candy coma, and figure out what to do with your jack-o’-lantern. A fun tradition for families, however, after Halloween Jack-o’-lanterns are thrown away and cause damage to our environment. Every year, pumpkins in the US are thrown away and add to greenhouse gas emissions. This season, be inspired by Tentree for how to dispose of your Jack-o’-lantern this year!
Ethical Disposal
Instead of throwing away your Jack-o’-lantern, this year dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner. Compost your pumpkin by cutting it into small pieces and adding them to your green bin or backyard compost. Similarly, if you do not have compost, bury it. Once you bury the pumpkin, microbes and other crawlies will break the pumpkin down into the soil.
Environment Food
If your pumpkin is not seasoned or salted, you can break the pumpkin down and leave it for wildlife to eat. Squirrels and birds are okay to eat pumpkin and this will be a time saver for you. If you or a loved one has chickens, I have news for you. Pumpkins are filled with vitamins A, B, C, E, and Zinc, great nutrition for chickens.
Human Food
Harvest the seeds and turn them into a healthy snack! Toss them in some olive oil and salt and you are ready to go, plus you get iron and calcium. After your pumpkin has no more seeds, turn it into a puree. Quarter your pumpkin and lay it on its side in a pan with a cup of water in it. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 45 minutes. Once a knife can pierce through, scoop out the softened pumpkin from the skin and add it to a blender or food processor.
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Decoration
Pumpkins are a sign of the harvest which continues all fall! If you do not carve your pumpkins, keep them out until December rolls around to celebrate autumn. Or make a planter if you have not carved your pumpkin. Cut a hole in the top, remove the seeds, and drill a hole for drainage. Add your favorite fall flowers and you are ready to go!
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