Clark County encourages pumpkin composting

Clark County Public Health is encouraging residents to compost their pumpkins after fall festivities to keep them out of landfills and reduce 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 than carbon dioxide,” a Clark County news release stated.

Residents can reduce food waste by saving and toasting pumpkin seeds as a healthy snack or turning the flesh into an edible puree.

Inedible pumpkin leftovers can be composted through a variety of local services or at home:

• Free compost drop-off: Leftover pumpkins can be taken to local We Compost Community Hubs at no charge. Hubs are open to all residents and accept all food scraps, including pumpkins. Locations are available online at shorturl.at/flRNR.
• Curbside composting: County residents with yard debris service may place pumpkins in their carts from October through November. Residents within Vancouver and Ridgefield city limits may compost pumpkins in their yard debris carts year-round.
• Backyard composting: Chop pumpkins into smaller pieces before adding them to backyard compost bins or piles. For more information, visit clarkcountycomposts.org.

All paint, glitter, wax and other decorations must be removed before composting. Pumpkins that cannot be cleaned should be placed in the garbage, the release stated.

For more information on composting and creative ways to use leftovers, visit shorturl.at/qLsTO.