Don't Trash Your Jack-o'-Lantern: Sustainable Ways to Recycle Your Pumpkin

November 17, 20251 comment

Every fall, Americans buy over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins, but only 20% of them are eaten. We carve them, set them on porches, and enjoy the glow. Come November 1, most head straight to the trash.

Here is the problem. In landfills, pumpkins decompose without oxygen, which produces methane, a greenhouse gas over 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.

That tossed pumpkin becomes part of a bigger climate issue.

The good news: it is easy to give your pumpkins a second life.

🎃 Why Pumpkins in Landfills Are a Problem

Organic waste like pumpkins is rich in carbon and moisture. Great for compost, not for landfills. With oxygen cut off, methane-producing bacteria thrive.

In the U.S., food waste is the largest component of landfills, and landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions.
An estimated 900,000+ tons of pumpkins end up in landfills each year.

Result: a seasonal spike in methane emissions right after Halloween and Thanksgiving.

See how we're helping the environment at Happenstence

♻️ What to Do Instead: 5 Smart Ways to Recycle Your Pumpkin

1) Compost It

If you have a home bin, pumpkins are excellent “green” material. Remove candles, stickers, and paint. Chop into chunks and mix with dry browns like leaves or shredded cardboard.
No compost setup? Check out our blog to make your own.

2) Feed Local Wildlife (Responsibly)

Offer only unpainted, undecorated pumpkins. Scatter pieces in a wooded area away from roads and homes. Do not put food out if it could create nuisance behavior or violate local guidance. Birds are a particular fan of pumpkins (Texas AgriLife Extension)

3) Donate to a Farm or Zoo

Many farms and animal sanctuaries accept clean pumpkins for feed or enrichment. Some zoos host fall “pumpkin smash” days. Call ahead and skip anything moldy.

4) Make a Pumpkin Planter

Turn a carved pumpkin into a short-term planter. Add soil and hardy fall flowers like mums or ornamental kale. When it softens, compost the whole thing.

5) Use It in the Kitchen (If It Is Still Fresh)

For uncarved, unspoiled pumpkins:

Roast the seeds
Make puree for pies, breads, or soups
Cube and roast for salads or grain bowls
Skip carved pumpkins for cooking; they spoil fast.

🍂 Make Sustainability a Fall Tradition

Small choices add up. As you celebrate the season, let your pumpkins feed soil, not landfills. It cuts emissions, builds better compost, and keeps the spirit of the season alive.

Happy Fall from all of us at Happenstence.