Recycling Pumpkins After Halloween
Why should you not throw away pumpkins?
What happens to pumpkins after Halloween? Hundreds end up in landfills each year. As they decompose, they emit methane gas which has over 20 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide.
Instead of throwing pumpkins in the trash, experts say composting or burying them can help the Earth. Pumpkins count as organic waste. Adding them to a compost bin enriches the soil over time. Burying pumpkin pieces under garden mulch also lets them decompose, adding nutrients for next year’s plants.
However, don’t discard pumpkins in woods or fields. The pumpkin flesh attracts rats and harms soils and plants. Also, animals can get heads stuck inside whole discarded pumpkins.
Break open pumpkins before leaving them for wildlife to eat. Deer enjoy the soft flesh. Seeds inside act as a natural dewormer. But remember to smash pumpkins so animals don’t get stuck.
The US produces over 900 thousand tons of pumpkin annually. Although a symbol of Halloween, pumpkin is an important food. Its beta-carotene provides vitamin A. Using every edible part reduces food waste and demonstrates commitment to sustainability.
Dried seeds can be planted next spring to grow your own pumpkins, continuing the harvest cycle. Seeds also have benefits beyond the kitchen, like natural DIY skin care.
Instead of sending pumpkins to landfills, consider donating them to community gardens adding them to compost piles, or as treats for farm animals. Some farms and zoos accept pumpkin donations as animal food.
Let’s recycle Halloween pumpkins rather than throwing them away. Pumpkins rotting in landfills create harmful methane gas. Check with local Hudson Valley farmers to see if they would like pumpkins as a treat for their cows or pigs. Using discarded pumpkins reduces food waste and helps the environment.