COLUMBUS, Ohio — With Halloween now past, you may be looking for a way to properly dispose of those pumpkins sitting on your stoop.
During this time of year, pumpkins often get tossed in the landfill. But there is a better way to dispose of them once they exceed their shelf life.
Composting is a great way to dispose of pumpkins and other gourds. They can be put in a compost pile at your home or brought to one of several drop-off locations around Columbus.
If you compost your pumpkins at home, SWACO recommends cleaning them thoroughly, removing any paint, decorations or wax residue and cutting them into small pieces so it's easier to break down.
If you don't have a home compost pile, you can drop off your unwanted pumpkins and gourds at one of the following locations:
- SWACO Recycling Convenience Center: Oct. 1 through Dec. 14 at 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus, Ohio 43223. Open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- City of Columbus: Oct. 31 - Nov. 30 at:
- 2100 Alum Creek Dr. (Tuesday - Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.)
- 4260 Morse Rd. (Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2nd between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.)
- 1550 Georgesville Road (Tuesday- Saturday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.)
- Dublin: Oct. 21 – Dec. 13 at 6555 Shier Rings Rd.
- Grandview: Nov. 4 – Nov. 29 at Wallace Gardens, 1581 Goodale Blvd.
- Grove City: Nov. 1 – Dec. 2 at Fryer Park, 3899 Orders Rd.
- New Albany: Oct. 31 – Dec. 8 at New Albany Public Service, 7800 Bevelhymer Rd.
- Upper Arlington: Oct. 31 – Dec. 8 at Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Ave.
- Westerville: Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 at:
- 350 Park Meadow Rd.
- 469 Westdale Ave.
- Worthington: Nov. 1 – Dec. 1 at 380 Highland Ave.
- City of Bexley: Earth Peak Organics will pick up pumpkins from residents who participate in the food waste recycling program on Mondays and Dec. 5. Residents can also drop off pumpkins at the collection point behind city hall.
Intact and decaying pumpkins, carved jack-o’-lanterns and gourds are all accepted.
