In 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that out of the 1.9 billion pounds of pumpkins grown, 1.3 billion pounds were thrown away, instead of being consumed or composted.
City of Bowling Green residents are encouraged to recycle their pumpkins and gourds in the city’s yard waste recycling drop off area (off Tarragon Drive, east of the Public Works Garage). Candles and decorations must be removed before recycling your pumpkins and gourds in one of the three black dumpsters marked for yard waste. All material collected for yard waste recycling is taken to Wood County’s yard waste recycling area to be composted.
Pumpkins and gourds should not be recycled in the food waste recycling drop off. This would quickly overwhelm this collection system.
Additional pumpkin and gourd recycling options:
- Compost pumpkins and gourds in place in a backyard pile or bin. If you don’t have a compost system, place your pumpkins in a discrete area of your yard and allow them to decompose naturally.
- If you haven’t carved your pumpkin yet, you can find recipes online for how to consume your pumpkin, from the seeds to the skin.
