The pumpkin disposal problem

Millions of carved pumpkins are thrown away after Halloween. Experts warn against sending them to landfill because they release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Why methane matters

Pumpkins in landfills release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that over a twenty year period is around eighty times more powerful at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

The scale of the waste

Hundreds of millions of pumpkins need disposal after Halloween. Chris Enroth of University of Illinois Extension says it is a massive amount of organic material entering the landfill system.

“We're talking about hundreds of millions of pumpkins that need to be disposed of post Halloween, and it's just a massive amount of organic material that goes into the landfill system.”

How composting works

Composting introduces water, oxygen, microbes, bacteria and fungi. This aerobic process turns pumpkins into organic matter with nutrients that can be returned to gardens without producing methane.

Where to compost your pumpkin

Use a curbside compost bin, apartment building compost, or find a drop-off site near you. Some areas organize dedicated pumpkin drop-off events for residents.

Start composting this fall

Fall is the best time to start home composting. Leaves, grass clippings and pumpkins combine well to create compost for next year's garden.

“It's a really good combination of materials for you to get compost out of it next year.”