12 Creative & Sustainable Ways to Keep Pumpkins Out of the Landfill This Fall
Every autumn, pumpkins seem to pop up everywhere — in grocery store bins, pumpkin patches, front porches, and office lobbies. They’re fun to carve, festive to display, and the symbol of fall itself.
But once Halloween passes, most pumpkins end up in the landfill — where they don’t decompose properly. Instead, they release methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Before you toss yours out, here are creative and eco-friendly ways to reuse, recycle, and repurpose pumpkins after Halloween.
1. Roast and Eat the Seeds
First of all, if you’re creating jack-o-lanterns, you could be cleaning and saving the pumpkin seeds. Roast them in the oven for a few minutes with a bit of olive oil and salt, and they’ll make a healthy and delicious snack. Can’t be bothered with all that mess? Bury the pumpkin guts in a hole in your backyard. In the spring, you may be rewarded with your own pumpkin patch! How about making pumpkin seed crackers or pumpkin seed brittle ?
2. Compost Your Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a great addition to your compost pile — they count as “greens.” Just remove candles or paint, break them into smaller pieces, and let nature do the rest.
3. Feed Backyard Chickens
Chickens love pumpkins! They’ll happily peck at the flesh and seeds, which are both nutritious and fun for them.
4. Share with Wildlife
Wild animals — from squirrels and deer to raccoons and coyotes — adore pumpkins. Break them into chunks and scatter them outdoors for an easy, natural treat. As they decompose, they also enrich the soil.
5. Donate to Zoos or Animal Sanctuaries
Many zoos and wildlife sanctuaries accept pumpkin donations for animal enrichment programs. Elephants, bears, monkeys, and even porcupines enjoy rolling them around, smashing them, and munching on the insides.
6. Use Municipal Yard Waste Recyclingn
Check whether your city’s green waste program accepts pumpkins. Many municipalities process them as organic waste, just like Christmas trees or leaves.
7. Make a Squirrel Feeder
Turn your pumpkin into a DIY wildlife feeder! Cut a small opening, smear peanut butter and seeds inside, and hang it from a tree branch. You’ll get hours of entertainment watching the squirrels enjoy it.
8. Cook with Fresh Pumpkin
Pumpkin flesh is high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins — and it’s delicious! Look for organic or “pie pumpkins” for eating. Roast slices, mash with butter and brown sugar, or make homemade pumpkin purée for muffins, breads, or pies.
Try making pumpkin curry soup or cheese fondue roasted in a pumpkin for a festive fall meal.
9. Grow Your Own Pumpkin Patch
Instead of tossing the “pumpkin guts,” bury them in your garden or compost pile. Come spring, you might find yourself with a surprise pumpkin patch!
10. Upcycle into Holiday Decor
Don’t throw away uncut pumpkins — paint them white or gold and repurpose them for Thanksgiving or Christmas decorations. They add a rustic charm to any seasonal display.
11. Get Playful
Make a pumpkin helmet and chase your kids around the yard — laughter guaranteed! Or let children paint or decorate leftover pumpkins as a weekend craft.
12. Support Wildlife and Sustainability
If you’re feeling generous, share your leftover pumpkins with neighbors who keep animals or garden compost. A little creativity can keep thousands of pumpkins out of landfills and help local ecosystems thrive.
Final Thoughts
Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean pumpkins belong in the trash. From cooking to composting, feeding wildlife to festive DIYs — there are countless ways to keep pumpkins out of landfills while helping the planet.
Let’s make every pumpkin count this season — for the environment, for wildlife, and for fun.
