Once Halloween is over, instead of throwing out your Halloween pumpkin, how about tossing it in your compost bin instead.
“Pumpkins are high in nitrogen, an excellent material to add to your backyard compost bin,” says Waste Reduction Facilitator Rae Stewart with the Regional Waste Reduction Office.
“And if you chop your pumpkin into small pieces and toss it into your backyard composter with some fall leaves, it will break down just that much faster. Next spring you’ll have a great nutrient rich soil amendment to add to your flower beds or veggie patch,” says Stewart.
If you don’t compost, you can also put your pumpkin in your 'yard waste cart' for your next pickup.
Check your Living Greener Calendar, the My-Waste app, or regionaldistrict.com/recycle for yard waste pickup schedules in your area. A reminder that yard waste pick- up ends for the year November 30th.