- For the first time, Rob Biddulph ditches the paper and draws straight onto pumpkins to inspire kids to decorate instead of carving their pumpkins
- This Halloween, 30 million pumpkins are expected to be bought for carving, of which 16 million won’t be eaten
- Hubbub calls for public to embrace creative alternatives to carving to reduce the scary number of pumpkins that go to waste
New research from environmental charity Hubbub has revealed 30.43 million pumpkins are expected to be bought for carving this Halloween, of which a horrifying 15.82 million won’t be eaten. This is the equivalent of 95 million meals-worth³ of pumpkins set to go to waste, worth £26.7 million.
The Censuswide survey of 2,000 UK residents found that of those who celebrate Halloween, more than half (55%) scoop out the pumpkin and carve shapes into the skin. However, the data suggests 1.9 million households in the UK do not enjoy carving pumpkins. A third (33%) of these respondents say it’s because they find it a hassle, while the same proportion of people don’t like the mess it creates.
Hubbub and award-winning children’s book writer and illustrator Rob Biddulph, have released a special DrawWithRob video – his first ever not using paper – to inspire Halloween lovers to decorate their pumpkins, without carving them. This helps the pumpkin keep fresh for longer, therefore increasing the chance of it being eaten.
The popular illustrator, who captivated households across the country during the lockdowns of 2020, with his easy-to-follow “Draw With Rob” videos, has created three brand new designs for Halloween; a creepy cat, a spooky ghost and a scary face which can be drawn straight onto a pumpkin, using edible ink.
Illustrator Rob Biddulph, said: “Any sort of wastage in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis is something that doesn’t sit at all well with me, so I’m delighted to be supporting Hubbub’s #EatYourPumpkin campaign this Halloween. The more people we can encourage to eat their scary (but delicious) pumpkins after displaying them on the big night, the better. And by drawing instead of carving, we will also be improving our art skills too. A total win win!”
The special Halloween “Draw with Rob” video can be found here.
Now in its tenth year, Hubbub’s #EatYourPumpkin campaign is calling on Halloween lovers to ditch the knife and give decorating a go. By switching pumpkin carving to decorating, the charity hopes that even more pumpkins will be eaten this Halloween.
Hubbub’s Top tips for an environmentally friendly Halloween:
- If you’d rather not waste any of your pumpkin, then get creative with your decorating. Think of alternative ways to create a spooky grimace without carving, meaning you can still eat the pumpkin when Halloween celebrations are over! 5 Head to Hubbub’s social media channels for some step-by-step ideas for decorating your pumpkins!
- Did you know you can eat almost every part of the pumpkin? In fact, it’s only the stalk that isn’t edible. Head to Hubbub’s Eat Your Pumpkin page for tips on how to use the skin, seeds, guts and flesh of your pumpkins.
- One pumpkin can make several meals, why not freeze the bits you don’t want to use straight away and save for a rainy day?
- If you don’t like the taste of pumpkin, then why not make your own spooky decorations? From craft sets to window pens to making your own Halloween poster, there are plenty of ways you can decorate for Halloween without using a pumpkin.
Visit www.hubbub.org.uk/eat-your-pumpkin to find out more. #EatYourPumpkin