Sagging jack-o'-lantern? Here's where you can compost, donate old pumpkins in Ohio 🎃

Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch
Halloween has come and gone. Here are some ways to safely ditch your jack-o'-lantern and put it to good use.
Halloween has come and gone. Here are some ways to safely ditch your jack-o'-lantern and put it to good use.

Halloween has come and gone, and now it's just a November day with your sagging jack-o'-lantern.

Although your pumpkins may begin to look a little crestfallen after days of spooking your neighbors, you can take solace in knowing it will get a new life as compost or even pig food.

The United States produced over a billion pounds of pumpkins last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many of those pumpkins end up in a landfill, which experts say isn't great for the environment.

Some farms and animal sanctuaries accept donated pumpkins, and Ohio residents can also take advantage of free composting drop-off sites across the state. Here are some ways you can safely ditch your pumpkins and put them to work after their life as a jack-o'-lantern.

The United States produces over a billion pounds of pumpkins each year.
The United States produces over a billion pounds of pumpkins each year.

Where can I compost my pumpkin in Ohio?

Columbus

Free pumpkin and gourd drop-offs will be held Nov. 4, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at three Columbus Refuse Collection transfer stations:

  • 2100 Alum Creek Drive.

  • 1550 Georgesville Road.

  • 4260 Morse Road.

Carved or uncarved pumpkins and gourds – including moldy ones – will be accepted, the city said, as long as candles have been removed. Pumpkins that have been decorated with paint or permanent marker will not be accepted.

Other Central Ohio drop-off locations and times:

  • Grandview: Oct. 31-Dec. 1. Drop off pumpkins at 1525 Goodale Blvd., next to the food waste drop-off.

  • Grove City: Nov. 1-30. Drop off pumpkins at Fryer Park (3899 Orders Road).

  • New Albany: Nov. 1-Dec. 8. Drop off pumpkins at New Albany Public Service (7800 Bevelhymer Road).

  • Upper Arlington: Oct. 31-Dec. 8. Drop off pumpkins at Fancyburg Park (3375 Kioka Ave.).

  • Westerville: Oct. 30-Dec. 1. Drop off pumpkins at 350 Park Meadow Road or 469 Westdale Ave.

  • Bexley: Residents participating in the curbside food waste pick-up program can leave pumpkins on the curb during food waste collection days Nov. 2-30.

Northeast Ohio

In Summit and Portage counties, residents can dispose of pumpkins in Rubber City Reuse's drop-off composting bins available throughout both areas.

Pumpkin collection in Cuyahoga County will be held Oct. 30 through Nov. 5 at these locations:

  • Garfield Heights: Solid Waste District Headquarters (4750 East 131 St.).

  • Strongsville: Youth Sports Park (21255 Lunn Road).

  • Westlake: Westlake Police Station (27300 Hilliard Blvd.).

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District will not accept cornstalks, hay bales, yard waste or other kitchen waste in the pumpkin collection containers. The 20-yard collection bins only accept un-bagged pumpkins and gourds.

Northwest Ohio

Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful is offering pumpkin collection from Nov. 1 to Dec. 3 at these locations:

  • The old Andersons building: 530 Illinois Ave., Maumee.

  • Sylvania Township Hall: 4927 North Holland-Sylvania Road, Sylvania.

  • Ottawa Park: 2145 North Cove Blvd., Toledo.

How can I give my pumpkins to pigs?

If you're in an area not covered by a free local composting program, the nationwide Pumpkins for Pigs program may be able to help. Pumpkins for Pigs takes uncarved, non-inked and non-painted pumpkins and gives them to participating farms and animal sanctuaries to be used as feed for pigs and other pumpkin-eating animals.

Farms and sanctuaries accept pumpkin donations from October through mid-December. These 15 farms and sanctuaries in Ohio accept pumpkin donations:

  • Ditto Family Farm in Mansfield.

  • Five Talents Farmstead in Edon.

  • Four Son's Farm in Troy.

  • Furever Sunny Animal Sanctuary in Pemberville.

  • G&C Farm in Zanesville.

  • Happy Endings Homestead in Columbia Station.

  • Hawk Family Farm in Plymouth.

  • Hayyy Farms in Brunswick.

  • Hershberger Farms in Millersburg.

  • Jacobs Heritage Farm in Copley.

  • Kremer Korral in Tipp City.

  • Red Oak Animal Rescue Inc. in New Richmond.

  • RT Goat Farm in Ray.

  • Sharp Tooth Farm in Cincinnati.

  • The Autumn Acres in Lima.

Pumpkins for Pigs recommends contacting individual farms and sanctuaries for drop-off hours and quantity limits.

Roasted pumpkin seeds can make a tasty snack.
Roasted pumpkin seeds can make a tasty snack.

What else can I do with my pumpkins?

Here are some other fun ideas for what to do with your old jack-o'-lantern or uncut pumpkins:

  • Home composting: Pumpkins are a great candidate for your home composting bin. You could also bury it in your garden, and you just might get your own pumpkins next year.

  • Food for wild animals: Leftover pumpkins can be a great source of food for wild animals, like birds and squirrels. One suggestion from the National Wildlife Federation is to turn pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns into a bird feeder.

  • Food for yourself: Roast pumpkin seeds for a tasty snack, or even turn the pulp into a puree for your next pumpkin pie.

@Colebehr_report

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Where to compost, donate old pumpkins in Ohio

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