~Pumpkin Palooza 2024 begins today~
Fairfax County, VA – Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew… or compost them! Are you wondering what to do with your pumpkin after the fall holidays?
If home composting isn’t an option, take part in the annual Pumpkin Palooza! This year, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program will turn your post-Halloween pumpkins into compost gold. Just bring them to the pumpkin collection cans, along with your gourds, at the I-95 Landfill Complex or I-66 Transfer Station on the following dates and times.
October 28 – November 15:
- Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make sure all decorations, including glitter, paint and candle wax, have been removed to prevent the pumpkins from being rejected for composting.
If you choose to compost at home, simply place your carved or uncarved pumpkin in a garden area over the winter and let bacteria and fungi naturally break it down. As it decomposes, the rotting fruit will provide nutrients for the soil. Who knows…you might see a surprise pumpkin vine sprouting in the spring.
If you don’t want to compost, for a delicious taste of autumn, consider baking your pumpkin to create a sweet or savory treat. Not only will you enjoy the seasonal flavors, but some recipes use the entire pumpkin to further reduce food waste!
For more information on food composting, visit Composting Organic Waste | Public Works and Environmental Services.