9 eco-friendly, zero-waste, brilliant ideas for ways to use your leftover jack-o'-lanterns after Halloween

Carving a jack-o'-lantern is brilliant fun, but as someone who strives to avoid waste, I was keen to learn about the eco-friendly ways to use my leftover pumpkins, both carved and whole.

While a carved pumpkin will only last a few days, there are still plenty of ways you can use them in and around your garden, while whole pumpkins can last two to three months if stored somewhere cool, so there's no reason not to enjoy them in the kitchen afterwards, our experts say.

So, if you're planning on decorating with pumpkins, make use of our experts' nine zero-waste ideas for ways to use your leftover jack-o'-lanterns after Halloween

1. Compost them

‘The best thing to do with leftover pumpkins after Halloween is to add them to your compost pile and reduce waste,' says Quinten O'Dea, professional landscaper at Q&A Landscaping, particularly if they have been carved. 'Pumpkin seeds can be harvested from the guts when making jack-o'-lanterns, which can be dried, and saved for planting next year.'

Add them to your compost by cutting up pumpkins into small pieces, and putting them directly into your compost bin. 'Make sure to break up the pumpkin to help it break down quicker and spread it around the compost pile,' says Drew Swainston, Homes & Gardens content editor and former professional gardener. 'Also, if you haven’t already for carving, remove the seeds if you do not want new pumpkins to grow next year.'

Making compost gives you a nutrient-rich fertilizer for the plants in your yard, so your Halloween decorations can benefit your spring plants.

Lenny Chase, CEO at Rasa, which is a line of delicious coffee alternatives that combine adaptogens, mushrooms, and pre-biotics to give nourishing energy that sustains, suggests adding coffee grounds along with your pumpkin to boost the nutrients in your soil.

'I'm passionate about reducing food waste, so I'm always looking to share ideas for fully utilizing natural ingredients,' Lenny says. 'Shred or dice the leftover pumpkin pieces and add them directly to your compost pile. Coffee grounds are also high in nitrogen which helps break down organic matter.

'By mixing the pumpkin with used coffee grounds, you create an ideal ratio of carbon to nitrogen to fuel the composting process. The microbes will break down both ingredients, forming a nutrient-rich soil amendment perfect for nourishing home garden beds or house plants. This is an excellent way to recycle both the pumpkin leftovers and used coffee filters or grounds.'

Just make sure you know where not to use coffee grounds in the garden to avoid making any composting mistakes.

2. Make a face mask

While pumpkins are beneficial for your soil, did you know they're also great for your skin?

'Pumpkin flesh is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, making it perfect for a natural skin care treatment,' says Sarah Fletcher, interior designer and CEO of Flower Delivery. 'Blend the pumpkin guts with a tablespoon of honey and a splash of apple cider vinegar to create a rejuvenating face mask.

'This aggregate helps hydrate the pores and skin and provides a mild exfoliation, perfect for a bit of post-Halloween self-care.' Store your face mask in a small pot, such as the #1 bestselling 4 Pieces Round Clear Wide-mouth Leak Proof Plastic Container Jars with Lids available at Amazon, and make sure you clean your blender after use.

This is a great option if you've recently decluttered your skincare, as it makes use of household items and prevents clutter building up, as it needs to be used up swiftly, perfect for a pamper in your wellness bathroom.

3. Create a fall-themed centerpiece

They're the true symbol of fall, so why not use your uncarved pumpkins to create a striking fall-themed centerpiece, ideal for dressing your dining table.

'Repurpose whole pumpkins as an ornamental centerpiece on your table,' says Fletcher. 'Fill them with seasonal vegetation, dried leaves, or even small candles to create a stunning autumnal show which could last through November.'

We recommend mixing them with faux pumpkins, to extend the longevity of your centerpiece, and adding a scented candle to make your home smell like fall. I recommend the IKEA ENSTAKA Mini Scented Candles available at Amazon, which smell like burning wood fire and bring a cozy vibe to any space, or go all out with a pumpkin spice scent, such as the Mainstays Pumpkin Spice Scented 3 Wick Candle available at Walmart.

4. Bury them

No compost heap? No problem! Swainston suggests that you can simply chop up pumpkins and bury them around the garden to decompose in the ground if you do not have a dedicated compost heap. Dig a hole and fill it with scraps before covering over with soil.

'Burying leftover pumpkins in the soil can benefit other plants in your yard, as the pumpkin will release essential nutrients into the ground as it decomposes over time, he says. 'These vital nutrients will then be taken in by other plants to help them grow big and strong. Breaking the pumpkin into bits will speed up the process of decomposition and it is best to spread the sections around the yard, rather than bury an entire pumpkin in one spot, to provide a spread of nutrients.

'It is important to remove seeds from the leftover pumpkin, otherwise, those seeds are liable germinate in the ground and start growing again come spring.'

Wondering how to grow pumpkins? If you are keen on growing pumpkins, follow Monty Don's top tips for growing them. If you don't have any leftover pumpkin seeds, they are available to buy at Walmart.

5. Cook with them

The most obvious way to make the most of leftover Halloween pumpkins is to make them into a delicious seasonal snack. We recommend washing pumpkins thoroughly before blitzing them into a comforting soup using a blender.

This Ninja HB150C/HB152 Foodi Heat-iQ Blender available at Amazon is one of the best we have tested, says Alex David, head of e-commerce at Homes & Gardens. 'We tried this in the test kitchen recently and it made an amazing sweet potato and squash soup, so it will probably be great on pumpkin, too.'

Chase suggests making a soup bowl out of pumpkin, which is a perfect recipe for hosting dinner parties in fall. 'Carefully hollow out the pumpkin, leaving about a 1/2 inch of flesh and stem intact.' he says. 'This will create your edible soup bowl. Use a large spoon to remove the pulp and seeds. Brush or wipe the inside of the pumpkin with olive oil to prevent drying. Season lightly if desired.

'Place the pumpkin on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F for 1-1.5 hours until the flesh is very soft when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool slightly then fill with your favorite warm soup before serving. The pumpkin will retain its shape as a unique way to present and enjoy the soup.' It's a sustainable idea I can't wait to try.

If you're looking for something quicker and with less washing up, cook seasoned, sliced pumpkin in the air fryer. This Instant Essentials 4QT Air Fryer available at Amazon is a great option if yours has seen better days. 'Over the years we've found that smaller, cheaper air fryers like this are better for roasting vegetables. The smaller capacity means that they're more efficient and therefore a lot faster,' says David.

You can also make pumpkin chips in either your oven or air fryer. 'First, thinly slice the pumpkin skin to around 1/8 inch thick slices,' says Chase. 'You can use a knife or a mandoline slicer (such as the Prepworks by Progressive Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline available at Amazon) to get uniform thickness. Lay the slices out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

'Lightly brush or spray both sides with olive oil and season generously with your favorite spice mix. Some classic options are salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika or chili powder. Roast in a 350°F oven for 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chips are dried out and crispy. Allow to cool fully before enjoying. Pumpkin chips make for a unique snack full of fiber, vitamins and minerals,' as found in a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine.

I personally love Kelston Moore's ideas for cooking with pumpkin. Moore is chef de cuisine at Haven Farm + Table, a first-of-its-kind 'agrihood' community at Fox Point Farms, which aims to set a new standard for sustainable, circular living. Helmed by a team of next-gen chefs, farmers and artisans, the three-acre regenerative farm channels organic produce (including pumpkins!) through the community, including at the Haven Farm + Table restaurant.

'Stockpile it for broth,' suggests Moore. 'Add the guts of the pumpkin with other vegetables like onion, celery, and carrots to add a deeper flavor to any dish requiring broth or stock,' which can be frozen and used all fall or winter long. Moore also suggests making a pumpkin purée, which is the 'perfect addition to rice, risotto, or to use alone as a pasta sauce.'

You can also try your hand at making creamy pumpkin hummus. 'Toast the pumpkin seeds, sauté and puree the pulp, and add canned chickpeas for a fall-inspired dip,' says Moore.

And, if you have a sweet tooth, you can bake muffins or a simple pumpkin pie in preparation for a Thanksgiving party.

6. Donate them

Minimalist blogger Ashley Mann points out that one of the best options is to donate them to a charity or animal shelter. 'In my area, we have a local horse rescue that asks for people to donate their leftover pumpkins for them to feed the horses as treats,' Mann shares.

'There are many types of horse-related charities that might appreciate such a donation, for example, I used to volunteer at a non-profit ranch that offered horseback riding as therapy. It would just be extremely important that any donated pumpkins have not been sprayed with any chemicals that could be harmful to the horses.'

You can also donate your leftover pumpkins to a local farm, or use them yourself if you enjoy backyard farming. 'Many farms accept leftover pumpkins to feed to farm animals like pigs, goats, and chickens,' says Joe Dogherty, owner at D&G Landscaping. 'Check with farms in your area.'

7. Make a bird feeder

'A wonderful way to repurpose your leftover pumpkins is by transforming them into a natural bird feeder for your garden,' comments Barbi Gardiner, founder of blog Outdoor Apothecary. To do this, you can either hang smaller pumpkins from branches with string or simply slice the pumpkin in half and set it out in a spot where birds frequent.

Add birdseed, such as Pennington Classic Wild Bird Feed and Seed available at Walmart, which attracts a wide variety of wild birds.

'This not only provides a feast for your local bird community but also adds a touch of autumnal charm to your outdoor space,' adds Gardiner. 'You'll find that cardinals and blue jays are particularly fond of this pumpkin treat,' so you can keep feeding birds all winter.

8. Make flavored seasonal drinks

As well as cooking with, pumpkins are a great option to make seasonal cocktails and mocktails, perfect for serving in one of our best cocktail glasses.

'Toss pumpkin scraps into vodka, infusing it for use in seasonally-inspired sippers,' says Moore, and try adding sweet, seasonal flavors such as cinnamon and vanilla. 'Or, combine leftover pumpkin, apple cider, pear juice, and fall spices for a non-alcoholic option.'

9. Make an eco-friendly pumpkin planter

'For purposes of aesthetic beauty, the pumpkin can also be scooped out and used to plant flower ornating succulents in the fall,' says John Haryasz, horticulture writer and landscape designer with a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and designer at Privacy Shrubs.

This is a great, eco-friendly alternative to plastic plant pots, as the pumpkin will decompose once buried in the earth, giving nutrients to your soil.

FAQs

Can I leave pumpkin out for wildlife?

It might be tempting to leave pumpkin out for any wildlife and critters in your garden, but it's important to note that pumpkins aren't natural to woodland. While some animals might love it, it will leave others, like foxes and boars, unwell, and can even spread disease. It might also attract unwanted pests, and leave you wondering how to get rid of foxes.

Ready to embrace spooky season? Check out our pumpkin carving ideas for inspiration.