Now that the festivities of Halloween have passed, it’s time to take down the decorations, put away the costumes, binge on the leftover candy, and toss out those crafty pumpkins.
If you want to avoid tossing the pumpkin in the trash, other options make it easy and are better for the environment.
Here’s how you can get rid of old pumpkins.
Composting
One of the most environmentally friendly options is to compost your pumpkins. Composting is the process of breaking down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. Pumpkins are a great source of nutrients for your garden, and they compost very quickly.
To compost your pumpkin, cut it into small pieces and add it to your compost bin. If you don’t have a compost bin, you can use a large plastic storage container or even a hole in the ground. Add other organic materials to your compost bin, such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps.
Once your compost bin is full, cover it with a lid or tarp and let it sit. It will take a few months for your compost to break down completely, but once it does, you can use it to fertilize your garden or houseplants.
Composting drop-off locations
If you don’t have a compost bin at home, you can drop off your pumpkins at a local composting facility. Here are a few locations in Colorado:
- Eco-Cycle CHaRM in Boulder
- GFL (Alpine Waste and Recycling) in Denver
- Common Good Compost in Fort Collins
- Compost Queen in Fort Collins
- Loveland Recycling Center at 400 N. Wilson Avenue
Wildlife feeding
Although it may seem harmless to leave your pumpkins out for wildlife, it is not recommended. Feeding pumpkins to wildlife can habituate them to human food sources and cause them to congregate, leading to the spread of disease. Additionally, some wild animals, such as bears, can be aggressive when looking for food.
