In the UK up to eight million pumpkins will come to a grave end this year, with 18,000 tonnes of edible food going straight to the bin.
Only one in three consumers choose to cook the flesh once carved, meaning the rest (66%) are wasted, not tasted. Pumpkins generate up to 448g CO2 equivalent per kilo – so they’re 'gruesome' for greenhouse gas emissions too.
A spokesperson for Lamb Weston, said: “Believe it or not, this isn’t a new idea as the original Jack-o’-lanterns were actually made from turnips and potatoes by the Irish. So it’s time to rethink old habits that are unhealthy for our planet and all hail the potato this Halloween.
“Take a look at some of our ideas, carve out some of your own and then love the leftovers in a delicious fright-night feast. Gourd for you and gourd for the planet too.”