Pumpkins Are Food Scraps
Pumpkins — even ones that have been carved — can be disposed of with other food scraps. Composting food scraps prevents organic waste from ending up in a landfill and puts valuable nutrients back into soil.
Ways to Reuse
Feed the Chickens
When you’re done with jack-o’-lanterns, scrape out any candle wax and give them to a friend or neighbor with backyard chickens.
Compost in Place
Scrape out any leftover wax, then smash your old jack-o’-lanterns and let them decompose in your garden or backyard soil.
Make a Snack-o'-Lantern
When you’re done with your jack-o’-lantern, sprinkle some bird seed inside and set it somewhere you can watch birds and squirrels enjoy a snack.
Save the Seeds
When you scoop out your pumpkin, save the seeds. You can roast them in the oven to eat or plant them in the spring.
