How to Compost Your Pumpkins After Halloween
On November 1st, pumpkins in the trash pile contribute to the nation's massive food waste issue. We here at Sustainable Baddie investigated the harmful effects of trashing our festive friends. The pumpkins left to decompose in landfills end up releasing methane gas, a very harmful greenhouse gas, into our air stream. So this year, instead of throwing our pumpkins out onto the curb, let’s all agree to compost, compost, compost.
Read on for some of Sustainable Baddie’s favorite tips and tricks for pumpkin composting to make sure that your increasingly mushy pumpkin is disposed of properly. Whether you’re living in an apartment in a huge city (us too!), or are lucky enough to have a house with your own compost pile, these tips will help make your pumpkin disposal a little sustier!
So Long Seeds!
Do your best to get rid of all the pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are notorious for sticking it out through the winter.
If you don’t remove these seeds, you may find some pumpkin vines peeking out of your compost pile when the season changes. (Fear not! You can always roast pumpkin seeds or save them for planting later on).
Squeaky Clean
Once you’ve made the most of your pumpkin seeds and pumpkin guts, your pumpkin is nearly ready for decomposition. Make sure that your pumpkin is cleaned of any non-organic matter before plopping it into your compost pile.
If this is the year you decided to try a cute pipe-cleaner and glitter look on your Jack-O-Lantern, make sure you dispose of the extra materials and wash away the decorations.
Be sure to check for and remove any leftover candle wax as well. These non-compostable materials can create issues for your own compost pile and your communities!
Smaller is Better!
To make the decomposing process a little easier, you should cut your pumpkin into smaller chunks. If you have outdoor space, you can place the smaller chunks outside to dry out or help feed your local critters. This helps them decompose even faster when they get moved to the compost pile.
Ready to Toss!
Once your pumpkins have been cleaned and cut, they are ready to compost. If you have your own pile, make sure that you sprinkle the pumpkin guts throughout the compost instead of in one large clump. You can also mix some other natural compost like dead leaves, dirt, and plant matter. This keeps your nitrogen levels healthy.
If you compost through a community or neighborhood site, most of the pumpkin prep can remain the same. Drop it off along with your regular compost, or make a special trip if the pumpkin scraps are taking up too much space.
If you have not yet explored the community composting process in your area, many cities set up special pumpkin composting pickup or drop-off services. Check out this state-by-state guide from Litterless to find a compost spot in your area.
P.S. for our NYC neighbors there are pumpkin smashing events throughout the city where you can bring your pumpkin, smash it up, and then compost staff will help dispose of it properly!
Now, get celebrating! Whether you want to try out that pumpkin-head costume look or are just looking for some classic pumpkin carving fun, there are so many ways to participate in these activities and still stay susty!
What are your favorite pumpkin-themed activities?