The Town of West Hartford is collecting pumpkins through Dec. 1, this year at three different locations.

By Ronni Newton

Jack-O-Lanterns have had their night in the spotlight, and while residents may be tempted to toss them into the trash along with the other aging pumpkins that have been munched on by squirrels or other creatures, the Town of West Hartford has some suggestions for more environmentally friendly alternatives who can’t compost the pumpkins in their own yards.

The Department of Public Works has again deployed dumpsters for collecting pumpkins – this year at three different locations. Residents can drop off pumpkins in the bin in the parking lot of Public Works 17 Brixton Street, at the lower end of the parking lot at Westmoor Park, and at the Town Hall parking lot (area next to Burr Street). The containers will remain in place through Dec. 1, weather permitting.

An organics container for pumpkins has been put into place at the West Hartford Public Works facility at 17 Brixton St. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

“In the four years of West Hartford’s pumpkin recycling program, we have kept over 70,000 pounds of pumpkins out of the waste stream,” West Hartford Recycling Coordinator Katherine Bruns said. “Collected pumpkins are processed locally and turned into electricity and compost at Quantum Organics just down the road in Southington, CT.”

Bruns urges those who can’t compost in their own backyard to please utilize one of the pumpkin containers, and to consider carpooling with neighbors for drop-off, to further save energy. It costs about 35% less to dispose of pumpkins as food scraps rather than as trash.

Bruns shared the following data: “About 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are purchased each year for Halloween in the USA, according to the USDA. About 80% of these pumpkins are thrown away, never to be eaten or composted. Pumpkins in our trash are heavy and wet, adding to the expense of disposal. Trashed pumpkins also emit harmful methane gas.”

Plastic bags, as well as any other trash or recyclables, should not be included with the pumpkins. While painted pumpkins are okay, all candles must be removed.

Pumpkin drop-off. Courtesy of Katherine Bruns

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