Did you know that more than a billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away every year in the United States? All that organic material doesn’t need to go to a landfill, though. You can compost your autumn pumpkins or gourds in a backyard composter or drop them off at one of the many local community pumpkin drop-off sites.
To compost them at home, clean your pumpkins of any paint, decorations, or wax residue. Then, cut them into smaller pieces so that it’s easier for them to break down in your backyard compost pile or bin.
Cows, chickens, and other common farm animals also love to snack on pumpkins, so some local farms accept pumpkin and gourd donations each fall. Check social media for postings or ask your friendly local farmer.
And if you’d like to just drop your pumpkin off for composting, click below to find a local pumpkin and gourd collection location near you.
Prescription Drug Takeback Day is October 24th
Many of us have old prescription medicine at home in a drawer or medicine cabinet, and we know that it can be a danger to our family members or even pets, but do you know how to properly dispose of it? It’s best not to throw it in the trash or down the drain. Instead, you can take it to one of the many locations around Franklin County that will be participating in National Drug Takeback Day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 24th. Click below to learn more or find a takeback location near you.
Halloween Without All The Waste
Costumes, candy, decorations and pumpkins make Halloween fun, but sometimes they can leave a scary amount of waste behind. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with leftover candy, last year’s costumes, or pumpkins after Halloween, you’re not alone. Click below for great ideas for a low-waste Halloween.
Upcoming Events
Sustainable Fall Webinar
Make the most of this fall with our sustainable fall bucket list! Tune in to this month’s Recycle Right webinar for some ideas on how to maximize the season without the waste! From low-waste party planning, to low-waste Halloween guidance – learn how to make the most out of the cool weather and make memories that you’ll enjoy for many autumns to come. Click HERE to register.
Fast Fashion Podcast
Your closet is bigger than you think, and so is its footprint. On this month’s episode of WastED, we explore the real lifecycle of clothing in central Ohio, where about 92 million pounds of textiles head to the landfill each year. What would it take to make “trash” the last option instead of the default? Click HERE to listen to the WastED podcast or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
Free Landfill Tour
Join us on Saturday, November 7th for a fun and informative tour of the landfill to learn all about how SWACO safely manages all of our community’s waste. The tour takes about 90 minutes, half in a classroom setting and half actually driving through the landfill. It’s open to any Franklin County resident over the age of six, so click HERE to register today!
