With Halloween this month, make the most of pumpkin seeds and flesh for tasty treats, from pies to toasted snacks. Great recipes from campaigners Hubbub here: hubbub.org.uk/how-to-eatpumpkin.
For trick-or-treat, save money with healthier home-made options, instead of shop sweets. Find free recipes from the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign at lovefoodhatewaste.com. And when your grinning gourd ghoul is past its prime, give it the chop and add to your compost bin or food waste.
Cut the cost of All Hallows’ Eve, boost the fun for kids and have less waste in your rubbish bin by avoiding single-use plastic supermarket products. Instead, make spooktastic costumes from old clothes, sheets, cardboard boxes and more (and recycle them later).
On 5 November, handle fireworks and bonfires with care to avoid a bin blaze. Drench embers and soak spent fireworks before adding to your rubbish. Soak misfired fireworks and contact the supplier for guidance on disposal.
Waste less time, do more online Via My Waste Services 24/7 at somersetwaste.gov.uk, you can:
■ Order any recycle container free
■ Log missed collections after 7pm
■ Pay for asbestos/plasterboard
■ Order paid bulky waste pick-up
■ Sort clinical/assisted collections
■ Get recycle site van/trailer permit
■ Send comments about services
Keep on trucking – how to help
Given the continuing LGV driver shortage and ongoing Covid threat to services, every resident can help maintain collections:
■ Use only the official boxes, bins and bags – order them via My Waste Services at somersetwaste.gov.uk.
■ Check what is collected kerbside:
somersetwaste.gov.uk/recyclingcollections.
■ Take any excess recycling, especially cardboard, or rubbish to any recycle site.
■ Help others to recycle, especially those older or vulnerable.
Report any missed collection after 7pm on the due day using My Waste Service at somersetwaste.gov.uk. We aim to return for any reported missed collection within two working days.
Information on SWP services
somersetwaste.gov.uk for advice and ezine sign-up. Follow @Somersetwaste on social media. SWP manages waste services for all Somerset councils.