Residents are being told to ‘go green’ by recycling and reusing their waste this Halloween.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is teaming up with Waste Awareness Wales to encourage people to have a happy ‘green’ Halloween.
Every year, 1 million pumpkins are sold in the UK, 99% of which are used to carve into lanterns for Halloween.
The council is reminding people to put the insides of carved pumpkins in the green food waste caddy, ready for the weekly collection. After Halloween, the shell of the pumpkin can also be cut into pieces and placed in the food waste caddy.
Cllr Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment said: “Halloween is a time for fun and festivities, although it is still important that we remember to take our environmental responsibilities seriously. By following just a few simple tips, we can help ensure that Caerphilly county borough continues to be one of the best performing councils in Wales for recycling.”
The council has issued the following tips for a green Halloween.
- If you are planning a Halloween party, replace traditional paper invites with online invitations
- Avoid using disposable plates at Halloween parties
- After your party, compost any leftover food or put it in your food waste caddy
- Make your own costumes by reusing old clothes or buy from charity shops. Or why not arrange a costume swap with family, friends or neighbours?
- Avoid plastic trick or treat bags – replace these with canvas shopping bags or decorate an empty ice cream tub
- Use the flesh of the pumpkin to make warming pumpkin soup. Pumpkin is also a great replacement for sweet potato – and is cheaper too
- Even the pumpkin seeds can be used – toast them in a dry pan or roast in the oven to make a healthy snack
They wont be bought from the shops in Caerphilly town, they are all closing according to a packed meeting of traders held last Friday night in the Town.