Food Waste Reduction

Did you know that according to the USDA, PA produced over 101 million pounds of pumpkins in 2023 alone? Over 90% of that is fresh pumpkins used for decorations. We love our fall pumpkins, but the scary truth is that if we trash 80% of those pumpkins, then —73 million pumpkin pies worth!—end up in PA landfills every year.

Organic waste takes up almost 40% of the space in our landfills, where it rots and releases potent greenhouse gases. With so much organic waste in our landfills, it’s time to find other solutions. Use the tricks and treats below to help you make the most of your pumpkin without being haunted by waste!

CLICK HERE to learn more about proper pumpkin disposal!

Make the Most of Pumpkin Carving

Don’t throw away the seeds, guts, and cutouts from your jack-o-lantern; have a spooky spa night instead! Explore these zero-waste recipes for ideas.

Roasted pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin cutout milkshake
Pumpkin pulp facemask

Composting Pumpkins at Home

Whole Pumpkins

Stored in a cool, dry place, a whole pumpkin can last for months! Use pumpkin seeds, flesh, and even pulp in recipes, or smash your pumpkin and compost it as a green. Consider chopping the seeds to keep them from sprouting in the compost.

Carved Pumpkins

Remove any lights or decorations and set aside for next year. If any of your pumpkin is painted, cut those parts off and dispose of them in the trash. Chop or smash the rest of the pumpkin into pieces and compost it as a green.

Learn to Compost

Want to compost at home but don’t know how? Join one of our Backyard Composting classes virtually or in-person for everything you need to know about getting started.

Learn more