Residents across Cannock Chase district are being encouraged to recycle leftover pumpkins this Halloween by using their weekly food waste collection service.

Cannock Chase Council expects a seasonal increase in food waste collections as households dispose of unwanted pumpkins. Residents can put chopped up pumpkins into their food waste caddies, which are emptied weekly. However, they must remove candles, lights or other plastic decorations from the pumpkin before it is recycled.

Performance of the food waste service

Since its launch in April, the food waste recycling service has collected an average of more than 60 tonnes of food waste every week from homes across the district. This Halloween marks the first time many residents will be able to recycle their pumpkins through the new service.

Cannock Chase is one of the top-performing food waste recyclers in Staffordshire, according to Councillor John Parkes, Portfolio Leader for Operational Services and Parks.

What happens to recycled food waste

Food waste collected from homes is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is converted into renewable energy. The digestate produced during the process is then used in agriculture to help improve soil quality.

Before throwing pumpkins away

Around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are thrown away uneaten in the UK each year after Halloween. Residents looking for inspiration to use leftover pumpkins can find ideas and recipes on the Love Food Hate Waste website.

Councillor Parkes said: "Our residents have been fantastic in supporting the new food waste service. We expect to see an increase in our food waste tonnage after Halloween, as people finish with their pumpkins. But before throwing them away, I'd encourage residents to have a look at the ideas and recipes on the Love Food Hate Waste website. If they do need to dispose of their pumpkins, placing them in the food waste caddy means they can be recycled and turned into renewable energy."

What can and cannot go in food waste caddies

Residents can place the following items in their food waste caddy: fruit and vegetables (including peelings), fish, meat and bones, tea bags and coffee grounds, eggs and dairy products.

The food waste caddy should NOT be used for liquids, oils or fats, garden waste, or food packaging.

For more information about the food waste service, visit www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/foodwaste