The U.S. grows and sells 1 billion pumpkins each year. Here's how to dispose of yours.
Instead throwing pumpkins in the trash when you're done with them (where they then go into a landfill and create an enormous amount of methane gas), consider these disposal options:
Composting is an excellent option, as it allows pumpkins to decompose naturally, enriching the soil and reducing methane emissions. The National Wildlife Federation recommends cutting it up into pieces and leaving it in a composting area in your yard that animals cannot access. Covering with leaves helps the nutrients to soak into the soil.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife also has a page on how to dispose of pumpkins here and here.
Donate pumpkins to local goat owners - local homesteads will take pumpkins as animal feed. However, if there is paint or wax on the pumpkin, they won’t take it because it’s toxic to the animals. Try Little Slice of Heaven or Rebecca Foo, both just off Bayou Gulch Road in the Bayou Hills subdivision.
DON'T leave out your pumpkin for wildlife or feed it to wildlife
Though some people create “snack-o’-lanterns” to feed critters such as birds and squirrels, be aware that leaving your pumpkin out can attract unwanted wildlife as well. Bears are especially attracted to pumpkins as they are looking to add on a few more pounds before the winter season. The links for the National Wildlife Federation above provide information on how bad pumpkins are for wildlife of all kinds.
Composting is an excellent option, as it allows pumpkins to decompose naturally, enriching the soil and reducing methane emissions. The National Wildlife Federation recommends cutting it up into pieces and leaving it in a composting area in your yard that animals cannot access. Covering with leaves helps the nutrients to soak into the soil.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife also has a page on how to dispose of pumpkins here and here.
Donate pumpkins to local goat owners - local homesteads will take pumpkins as animal feed. However, if there is paint or wax on the pumpkin, they won’t take it because it’s toxic to the animals. Try Little Slice of Heaven or Rebecca Foo, both just off Bayou Gulch Road in the Bayou Hills subdivision.
DON'T leave out your pumpkin for wildlife or feed it to wildlife
Though some people create “snack-o’-lanterns” to feed critters such as birds and squirrels, be aware that leaving your pumpkin out can attract unwanted wildlife as well. Bears are especially attracted to pumpkins as they are looking to add on a few more pounds before the winter season. The links for the National Wildlife Federation above provide information on how bad pumpkins are for wildlife of all kinds.