Halloween has come and gone. It’s time to take down (or put Santa hats on) the skeletons, unbox the Christmas lights, and change the vibe from spooky to festive. When you’re packing up the ghosts, ghouls and gourds, don’t be so quick to pop the pumpkins and Jack-o-lanterns in the bin. Pumpkins release methane into the atmosphere when decomposing at the landfill. This year, consider sustainable end-of-life alternatives for your pumpkins.
The easiest and simplest suggestion is to compost your pumpkins. Compost is wonderful for newly planted trees and aids their growth in the early stages as they mature. Depending on where you live, this could be as easy as adding them to your home composting system, bringing them to a community composting space, or adding them to your food waste collection bin. However, before pumpkins can be composted, follow these steps:
- Clean off or remove any non-biodegradable decorations: While your pumpkin is compostable, leftover candle wax and paint aren’t. Be sure to give your pumpkin a thorough inspection before composting.
- Break down your pumpkin: By cutting pumpkins and other food waste into smaller pieces, you’re speeding up the composting process. Aim for pieces around 6-to-8 inches long.
If your pumpkin hasn’t turned to sludge just yet and doesn’t have holes carved out of the sides, consider converting it into a plant pot or a bird feeder. While this isn’t a long-term solution, it can extend the pumpkin’s use while helping nature in one form or another. Eventually, when the pumpkin has broken down, either add it to your compost option or simply dig a hole in the ground for it to decompose naturally.
But what if you can’t compost or find an outside space for your pumpkin? Look no further than your own kitchen. Clean your pumpkins and find a litany of cooking and baking recipes to enjoy. From classics like pumpkin pie to spicy pumpkin soup to even pumpkin biryani, there are endless options. And don’t forget to save the seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds make for a savory snack. Even if you don’t like pumpkin, you can bet your dog does. Just make sure you roast the flesh and keep it unseasoned when using it as a pet treat.
Pumpkins make great decorations and can bring our homes to life. This year, find the best way to keep yours out of the landfill while helping the environment. If you have any other suggestions or want to share how you recycle your pumpkins, tell us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram!