1 Billion Pounds Of Pumpkins Are Sent To The Dump Annually. Here’s What To Do With Your Old Pumpkins
- Thomas Nelson
- October 13, 2023
- Sustainable Living
- 0 Comments
Pumpkins are simultaneously a wonderful way to decorate for the fall holidays and a serious burden for the environment. In 2020, the USDA reported that approximately 66,000 acres of land in the United States were dedicated to pumpkin cultivation, which is equivalent to the size of 50,000 football fields. Out of the staggering 2 billion pumpkins produced, it’s estimated that a shocking 1.3 billion of them found their way into landfills, amounting to a staggering 975 million pounds of waste!
There are things you can do with your old pumpkins that don’t involve sending them to the dump. Here are some alternatives to consider:
What to do with your old pumpkins
Disposing of pumpkins in an eco-friendly manner is important to reduce waste and minimize their environmental impact. Here are some eco-friendly options for disposing of pumpkins:
Composting
Pumpkins can be added to a compost pile or bin. They break down naturally and provide valuable nutrients to the soil. Be sure to remove any candles, wax, or decorations before composting. It’s also best to cut the pumpkins up into smaller pieces if you can – this will aid in the process of decomposing.
Mulching
You can also chop or break the pumpkin into smaller pieces and use it as mulch in your garden directly. This can help retain soil moisture and enrich the soil as it decomposes. Be warned though, local wildlife might dig up your pumpkin pieces and make a mess. If this is likely, I’d suggest composting instead.
Feed Wildlife In Your Yard
If you have local wildlife in your area, you can leave the pumpkin in your yard for animals to feed on. Squirrels, birds, and other wildlife may enjoy the seeds and flesh. Never leave pumpkins in nature, as local wildlife isn’t habituated to eating it and it may cause significant issues. Birds, squirrels, or other animals that come to your yard can be welcomed to make them a meal.
Donate It
Consider donating your pumpkins to a local farm, animal rescue, or wildlife rehabilitation center. Many animals can benefit from pumpkins as a food source. If you know someone with chickens, you can bet their hens will enjoy a pumpkin snack!
Make Pumpkin Puree
Instead of disposing of your pumpkins in the trash, you can make homemade pumpkin puree. Use it in recipes like pumpkin pie, soups, or muffins. Any leftovers can be frozen for later use. Just don’t try to consume a pumpkin that is actively rotting.
DIY Pumpkin Crafts
Get creative and use your pumpkins for DIY projects. You can carve them into decorative pieces or paint them for seasonal decorations. One of my favorite things to do is create a pumpkin planter to start seeds in, but there’s a high likelihood that it’ll rot over winter.
Community Composting
Some communities have composting programs or drop-off locations for organic waste, including pumpkins. Check with your local waste management or composting facility for options. If you have curbside composting, this is a much better option than throwing pumpkins in the trash.
Arrange a Pumpkin Recycling Event
If you live in an area without a composting program, consider organizing a pumpkin recycling event in your community. Partner with local farms or composting facilities to collect and compost pumpkins from your neighborhood.
Share with Neighbors
Offer your pumpkins to neighbors who may have chickens, pigs, or other livestock that can consume them as food.
Save The Seeds
Harvest and save the pumpkin seeds for planting in your garden the following year or share them with others interested in growing pumpkins.
Remember to remove any non-organic materials like candles, plastic decorations, and stickers from the pumpkins before disposing of them in an eco-friendly way. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your pumpkins have a positive impact on the environment rather than contributing to landfill waste.
