Food Waste Reduction

Did you know Pennsylvania is one of the 6 top producers of pumpkins in the U.S?[1] and 40% of the material brought to a PA landfill is organic waste (by weight)![2]

Let’s make the most out of all the resources, energy, and farmers’ time that went into making these pumpkins!

Use the tricks and treats below to help make the most of your pumpkin without being haunted by waste!

[1] USDA Economic Research Service (updated 2025)

[2] Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Waste Characterization Study: Final Report (September 2022)

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