Pumpkins make lovely decorations but when the season comes to an end, they
can become a wasteful problem. After Halloween many people toss their pumpkins and gourds into the garbage where they are later routed to the landfill. The lack of oxygen in the mounds of garbage prevents organic matter from breaking down. Consequently, the
pumpkins contribute to the problem of overflowing landfills.
If you’re not able to compost in your own yard, look for a communal location. Many cities have a site where green waste can be discarded. In Kansas there are arboretums and other
sites that specifically accept pumpkins in November. They will take care of the composting for you to minimize landfill waste.
Some farms accept pumpkin donations after the season to use as a feed source for their animals. However, if you treated your pumpkins, such as with bleach, wax or paint, they should not be fed to animals due to the risk of toxicity. Check the restrictions for pumpkin donations to protect the health of the animals.
