Sustainable ways to reuse pumpkins after Halloween

Following Halloween, experts suggest several alternatives to discarding pumpkins in landfills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in U.S. landfills annually. The United Nations Environment Programme notes that organic material breaking down in landfills produces methane, which has a significant warming impact.

To avoid waste, pumpkins can be repurposed in three primary ways:

1. Livestock Feed: Local farms may accept clean, untreated pumpkins to feed animals such as pigs and chickens. Officials recommend ensuring pumpkins are not painted, decorated, or moldy before donation.

2. Culinary Use: Pumpkin flesh, seeds, and innards can be used for cooking. While large carving pumpkins are edible, they are often watery and stringy. Pie pumpkins are preferred for baking and soups due to their smoother texture and richer flavor.

3. Composting: Pumpkins can be added to compost piles to enrich soil. Experts suggest chopping them into smaller pieces and mixing them with carbon-rich materials like dry leaves, straw, or shredded paper to facilitate decomposition.