Halloween food waste hits Irish homes
Almost a third of Irish households risk wasting food this Halloween, costing millions and causing guilt
Print31 October 2025
As Irish families prepare for Halloween festivities, new research from Too Good To Go – the social impact company behind the world’s largest marketplace app for surplus food – reveals that a shocking amount of food is at risk of being wasted this Halloween, sparking feelings of guilt for nearly half the population (46%).
With almost a third of households (29%) reporting leftover food and treats after the celebrations, this could amount to an estimated €3.7 million worth of food at risk of going to waste, based on Kantar figures.
This is an alarming amount of food and money going to waste, making many of us reconsider what we’re discarding, with two-thirds (65%) of people worried about the amount their household throws away.
This, alongside the rising cost of groceries, making 87% of us more cautious about such food waste.
Food waste
The main reasons families waste food include food going off before it’s consumed (45%), buying more than needed due to bulk offers (30%), and a lack of time for proper meal planning (24%) according to the research.
Too Good To Go Ireland urges families to reduce food waste this Halloween through simple, sustainable swaps.
“Halloween is all about family fun and bringing communities together – not worrying about food going to waste,” said Machaela O’Leary, sales manager at Too Good To Go Ireland.
“With people rightly thinking about both their wallets and the planet, stopping pumpkins from being thrown away is an easy win this Halloween.
“One simple tip?
“Roast the leftover pumpkin for soups, pies, or even curries – delicious, zero-waste, and money-saving.
“Let’s make this year’s celebrations full of fun, flavour, and zero waste – and don’t forget to download the Too Good To Go app to save even more good food from going to waste.”
To help households fight the fright of food waste this Halloween, Too Good To Go has shared its top tips for a more sustainable celebration:
- The Great Pumpkin Rescue: Don’t just carve your pumpkin – eat it! The inside flesh is perfect for delicious soups and curries. Roast the seeds with a little salt and oil for a healthy snack to put on top of your porridge or soups.
- Magical Chocolate Makeover: Transform leftover chocolates into new creations. Melt them down to make Rice Krispies buns, a chocolate sauce for ice cream, or a delicious topping for cupcakes and brownies.
- Sweet Swap Party: If you’re overwhelmed with sweets your family won’t eat, consider organising a post-Halloween ‘sweet swap’ with neighbours or friends to share the collection and ensure nothing goes to waste.
- Buy Once, Don’t Buy Often: If you’d like to buy new decorations this year, choose items that will last the test of time and ensure your wallet doesn’t have to replace them next year. Better for you, better for the planet!
- Master Makeup, Ditch the Mask: Instead of buying a plastic mask, invest in a basic face paint kit. There are thousands of free, easy-to-follow tutorial videos online—just make sure the look is easy to remove!
Read more: M&S unveils ‘Pumpkin Colin the Caterpillar’ in time for Halloween
© 2025, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
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