Used Halloween pumpkins can get a second, Earth-friendly life as compost in Fairfax County’s annual Pumpkin Palooza collection drive, now underway until the end of November.

Again this year, the county’s Solid Waste Management Program will turn your post-Halloween pumpkins and other gourds into compost gold. Pumpkins are chock full of nutrients. When added to composting material, pumpkins will break down to help create rich, fertile soil that will nourish future vegetable gardens and yard plantings.

If home composting isn’t an option, simply take you’re your jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins and gourds to the yellow Pumpkin Palooza collection bin at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, in Fairfax. Disposed pumpkins must be free of decoration. Please do not drop off pumpkins with paint, glitter, or candle wax as these materials cannot be composted.

The pumpkins are picked up by local organics company Compost Crew and turned into compost at a commercial facility, which is later sold.

Composting Pumpkins at Home

If possible, residents should let their pumpkins compost in their yard. If you have a compost bin, add smaller, cut pieces of pumpkin to the bin for a faster decomposition process.

You can also leave the pumpkin out and let nature take its course. Take your pumpkin to a sunny spot in your yard, smash it up and cover it with leaves. Keep in mind that pumpkins can attract hungry wildlife such as squirrels and racoons. If you want to attract birds, you can make a bird feeder with your pumpkin. How-to videos are available online by searching bird advocacy organizations.

Learn More: Fairfax County Solid Waste Management’s Recycling & Trash