22nd October 2026
With Halloween around the corner, South Oxfordshire District Council have highlighted five simple ways residents can keep seasonal waste to a minimum this autumn.
Every October, tonnes of pumpkins, single-wear synthetic Hallowe’en costumes, and plastic decorations are thrown away after a single evening. By rethinking how we prep for the spookiest night of the year, households across the districts can save cash while helping protect our local environment.
Five simple steps to cut Hallowe’en waste this year:
- Create a DIY costume: Save money and waste and get creative by reusing clothes you already own, updating last year’s disguise, or creating a custom outfit from materials around the house.
- Borrow or buy second-hand: Check out local charity shops, borrow from friends, or host a costume swap with neighbours to give pre-loved gear a second outing.
- Eat your pumpkin: Don’t let your jack-o’-lantern go to waste! Before carving out a terrifying face, scoop out the flesh and cook up a delicious recipe from our page – from warming soups to pies and roasted seed snacks.
- Compost, recycle, or donate: Pumpkin flesh makes for great compost when mixed well with other compost materials. And if you don’t use a compost bin, your friends or neighbours might – try offering your pumpkin to them.
Leftover pumpkins will be collected for one week, beginning 2 November. Chop it up and put it in in the food waste bin or leave it whole beside the bin. Just make sure to remove any candles, melted wax or other decorations first. We’ll pick it up on your scheduled food waste collection day where it’ll be turned into renewable energy or fertiliser. Don’t put it in the general rubbish bin.
