Clark County encourages pumpkin composting

Clark County Public Health is encouraging residents to compost pumpkins after fall festivities, keeping the gourds from rotting in landfills and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

“Each year after Halloween, about 60% of purchased pumpkins end up in landfills across the United States. In landfills, pumpkins and other organic waste produce methane, a greenhouse gas at least 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide,” a Clark County news release stated.

Residents are encouraged to consider saving and toasting the pumpkin’s seeds as a healthy snack before composting. Leftover carved pumpkin pieces may also be turned into an edible pumpkin puree. Using the edible parts of the pumpkin reduces food waste, the news release stated.

The inedible leftovers may be composted through a variety of local services or in a personal composter. Disposal methods are listed below:

• Free compost drop-off: Leftover pumpkins may be taken to local We Compost Community Hubs for free. Community hubs are open to all residents and accept all food scraps, including pumpkins. Community hub locations are available online at shorturl.at/k7aD9.
• Curbside composting: County residents with curbside yard debris services may place pumpkins in their carts from October through November. Residents within Vancouver and Ridgefield city limits may dispose of pumpkins within their yard debris cart any time during the year.
• Backyard composting: Chop pumpkins into smaller pieces and place them within backyard compost bins or piles. For more information on at-home composting, visit clarkcountycomposts.org.

All paint, glitter, wax and other decorations must be removed from the pumpkins prior to composting. If paint or other items cannot be removed, the pumpkin cannot be composted and should go in the garbage.

For more information on pumpkin composting and ways to use leftovers, visit shorturl.at/4mR7j.