Pumpkin carving is an essential part of the Halloween season, with jack o'lanterns being a great way to decorate your house for the night.

However, the question of what to do with the pumpkin once Halloween is over could be raised, and there are alternatives to just throwing it away.

On average the UK bins 8 million of the fruit a year, so as a result SkipsAndBins.com have pulled together four ways you can use them.

These are great ways to recycle them or dispose of them safely.

Bournemouth Echo: Millions of pumpkins have been grown for Halloween (Danny Lawson/PA)Millions of pumpkins have been grown for Halloween (Danny Lawson/PA)

What uses can pumpkins have after Halloween?

Eat it

Pumpkin pie is an obvious choice for what you can make with leftover pumpkin, but there are a number of other options.

It can be used to make a warm, hearty soup, be incorporated into muffins and used in houmous.

Additionally, the seeds can be roasted for a tasty snack.

The fruit is high in Vitamin A and C as well as being a good source of fibre.

Craft it

Use in food is not the only way to recycle a pumpkin.

It can be utilised as a way to fill your home with autumnal aromas.

To do this clean out your pumpkin and pour in melted wax, mix with spices such as cinnamon and ginger for an extra seasonal scent and add a wick

Alternatively, use your empty pumpkin to create an autumnal planter for your garden or home, simply scrape out the inside, drill holes for drainage and add potting soil and plants of your choice.

READ MORE: Somerset transport firm ensuing there are enough pumpkins for Halloween

If you prefer to help wildlife, clean out your pumpkin, cut holes in each side with a skewer or sharp knife and add a string to hang from trees in your garden.

You can then fill it with bird seed.

Make a face mask with it

Using pumpkin in a DIY face mask can be a benefit.

AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are widely praised in the skincare world for the ability to help exfoliate and renew skin, and pumpkins are packed full of them.

Dispose of it safely

If all else fails and you must throw out your pumpkin, it is better to ensure you are responsibly disposing of it. If you have a garden, composting your pumpkin is a good option, simply cut down any bigger chunks of rind to speed up the process and any flesh should break down quickly.

If you don’t have your own garden, you can offer up your old pumpkin to any gardeners or allotment owners who might be interested in taking it off your hands. Lastly, if it does go in the bin, try to make sure you use a food waste recycling bin where possible.