Hey earth muffins! Halloween is almost here – are you ready for lots of tricks and/or treats? My carved pumpkins are ready to go on my front steps… And (unfortunately) they are already starting to rot a bit. Once Halloween is over, it is important to figure out how to dispose of your jack-o-lanterns… The eco-friendly way of course! 🎃 Keep reading for the best, most sustainable ways to get rid of a rotted pumpkin.
1. Leave out your rotted pumpkin for the squirrels!
Why not leave out your pumpkins for the local animals and/or birds? This is an easy way to use your pumpkin guts when carving AND after Halloween is done. You might have noticed a few squirrels snacking on them already…. So leave out the pumpkin in your backyard, the forest surrounding your house, etc. for a nice little Halloween treat.
2. Use it as extra fertilizer in your garden
Whether we like it or not, winter is coming. Before the ground is totally frozen, add a bit of extra fertilizer to your soil by chopping up your pumpkins and putting them in the ground. As they decompose they will leach out nutrients that (hopefully) will help your garden grow in the spring/summer.
3. Compost your rotted pumpkin!
Depending on how rotted your pumpkins are, this might be the only logical option. Toss your pumpkins right into the bin/compost pile! If you don’t have your own compost, find someone in your community who does. This could be a neighbor, a local farmer, or a business with a compost heap out back.
4. See if your city picks them up
My city has a huge yard waste collection program that takes all natural waste to a big composting facility. After Christmas they do a special round to collect Christmas trees; after Halloween they do a similar pickup for rotted pumpkins! This is a great option if you don’t have your own compost bin, so do a bit of research to see if your community has a similar program.
Regardless of which method you use above, do NOT dispose of your rotted pumpkin in the trash! Organic materials cannot break down properly in the landfill; it is important to think about Mother Earth after Halloween and get rid of your pumpkins in a responsible way. How do you typically dispose of your pumpkins? Comment below and let me know your Halloween plans this weekend!
Love,
Jenna ♥
Such an important post! I know my city used to do a pumpkin pick up, but I’m not sure if they still do. I didn’t purchase a pumpkin this year…but I will definitely need to find out next year!