Tips for Keeping Post-Halloween Pumpkins Out of the Landfill
Want to hear something scary?
Each year, over a billion pounds of pumpkins are sentenced to landfills across the US. Check out these tips for keeping pumpkins out of the Knott Landfill here in Deschutes County.
1. Are the pumpkins or Jack O’lanterns starting to go bad? Are they too spooky for consumption? Compost them! Curbside yard waste services in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters accept vegetative waste like pumpkins. Avoid including candle wax residue in the bin. Learn more about what is accepted in yard waste service here. The next two tips are for pumpkins that are still in good condition.
2. Puree the pumpkin flesh and whip up some homemade dog treats for your best friend. Here are a few dog treat recipes to try with some homemade pumpkin puree. Bonus: Homemade dog treats can help you avoid plastic packaging. Save the seeds and guts for tip #4, then compost the skin and stem.
3. Not in the mood to get fancy with a pumpkin recipe? You can just chop them up for a low maintenance treat for goats, chickens, and other livestock.
4. Finally, roast the seeds and stock the guts. Probably a couple of the easiest pumpkin related recipes, you’ll ever see for roasting and boiling stock here.