Maje Chaber from Norwich hugging a pumpkin at Norwich Pumpkin Rescue

Hundreds of people turned up to sample pumpkin soup and jam as well as learn more about the issue of food waste at Norwich City Council’s Pumpkin Rescue event at the weekend.

Every year at Halloween, approximately 18,000 tonnes of pumpkin are thrown away – the same weight as 1,500 double decker buses, but Norwich residents are being urged to think again before binning their pumpkin, and help squash food waste.

Councillor Kevin Maguire, cabinet member for environmental strategy for Norwich City Council said:

“Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! There are loads of delicious pumpkin recipes, but if you don’t eat it then please use your food waste caddy, compost it, or take it to one of our drop off points – the main message is ‘don’t throw your pumpkin in the bin!'”

Norwich City Council is once again working with city supermarkets to provide the following drop off points from 2-9 November:

Pumpkin Drop off points:
Sainsbury’s, Queens Road,
Waitrose, Eaton Road,
Morrisons, Riverside

To order a new food waste caddy go to: www.norwich.gov.uk/recycling