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CLEVELAND, Ohio – With Halloween over, the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is reminding residents about an easy, eco-friendly way to clear out their leftover pumpkins. Through Nov. 10, residents can drop their intact or decaying pumpkins, carved jack-o’-lanterns and gourds at one of eight collection sites, keeping them out of the landfill. Decorations, candles and stickers must be removed beforehand, and pumpkins that were bleached, chemically treated, painted or drawn on with permanent marker will not be accepted. Sites are also not meant for cornstalks, hay bales or yard waste, the waste district said. Containers will be available at the following locations: Brecksville: Brecksville Service Department, 9023 Brecksville Road Independence: Elmwood Recreation Center, 6200 Wisnieski Parkway Lakewood: Kauffman Park, 15450 Detroit Avenue Mayfield Village: Village Service Department, 610 SOM Center Road Shaker Heights: Lower Shaker Lake, South Park Boulevard parking lot near Larchmere Boulevard Solon: Solon Community Center, 35000 Portz Parkway Strongsville: Youth Sports Park, 21255 Lunn Road Westlake: Westlake Police Department, 27300 Hilliard Boulevard This is the third year for the county’s pumpkin composting effort, which began as a pilot program in 2023. That year, the county collected 7 tons of pumpkins and gourds. Last year’s expanded program diverted more than 18 tons from landfills. Other ways to dispose of pumpkins responsibly More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away each year in the U.S., according to the Solid Waste District, but there are several other ways to give them a second life: Compost it at home: Clean your pumpkin of seeds and decorations, scrape off any paint and cut it into smaller pieces before adding it to your compost pile. Take it to a compost facility: Local company Kurtz Bros. accepts pumpkins, hay and cornstalks at its yard waste facilities in Avon, Garfield Heights, Strongsville, Valley View, and Willowick through Thanksgiving (fees apply). Bury it in your garden: Pumpkins are mostly water and will break down quickly in soil, adding nutrients. Leave it for wildlife: If untreated, pumpkins can be left outside for animals such as deer and birds. Avoid leaving out moldy or chemically treated pumpkins. Feed it to chickens: Many small farms or backyard chicken owners accept pumpkins as feed—check local community boards or farm groups. Eat it: Fresh, uncarved pumpkins can be roasted or used for pies, breads, or soups, and seeds can be toasted for a seasonal snack. For details and a map of pumpkin drop-off sites, visit cuyahogarecycles.org.
