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Lisa and Mael (Visting Interns from Brittany)
Oct 31, 2024
Halloween is the time for spooky decorations, creative costumes, and of course delicious treats. But each year, tons of food, especially Pumpkins, sweets, chocolates and nuts, ends up in the bins, contributing to food waste.
We can celebrate Halloween more sustainably by reducing waste. Here are some tips to help you avoid food waste this Halloween:
Tips
Limit Pumpkin Waste
A) Turn your pumpkin flesh into puree:Use it in pies, soups, smoothies, or muffins. This puree can also be frozen for use throughout the year!
B) Roast the pumpkin seeds:They make a nutritious snack. Rinse and dry them, then toss with olive oil, salt, and spices before roasting for a crunchy treat.
C) Create dog treats:If you have pets, pumpkin is great for them! Make dog-friendly pumpkin biscuits or add a bit of cooked pumpkin to their meals for a fiber boost.
D) Compost it:If you can’t use all of your pumpkin, compost it instead. Just be sure not to compost painted or bleached pumpkins, as they may contain chemicals.
Limit Candy Waste
Often, families end up with far more candy than they can realistically consume.
A) Buy smart and store well:When shopping for Halloween, consider the amount of candy you actually need. Buying in moderation saves money and prevents excess candy from going to waste. If you have leftover candy, store it in a cool, dry place for better preservation.
B) Be creative with leftovers:Leftover candy can be repurposed into fun recipes.
Try making candy bark by combining a variety of chocolates and candies, or mix them with nuts and dried fruits.
For baking, chopped-up candies like Snickers or Reese’s pieces work well in cookies, brownies, or cakes.
Make candy-infused cocktails—candies like Skittles can be infused into alcohol for a fun twist on seasonal drinks.
Most candies can also be frozen for future use, perfect for repurposing in the next holiday season.
Limit Chocolate Waste
Get creative with leftover chocolate! The main way to reuse leftover chocolate is to melt it.
After melting, you can turn it into chocolate chips for cookies and other recipes.
Make a chocolate fondue for dipping fruits and snacks, or create chocolate bark by spreading melted chocolate and adding nuts or candy pieces before hardening and breaking it into pieces.
Add a small piece of melted chocolate to hot coffee for a mocha treat, or make a quick syrup for pancakes by melting chocolate with a bit of milk.
If you're not sure what to do with your chocolate right now, you can save it in the freezer for later!
Donate What You Don’t Need
If you find yourself with unopened candy or unused food, donating is a great way to avoid waste. Many charities, food banks, and shelters accept donations, so check with local organizations to see if they’re taking donations.