Now that Halloween is over, you might have a slightly soggy jack-o'-lantern sitting on your porch. Don’t throw it away just yet — the City of Columbus is hosting its first-ever pumpkin drop-off to encourage composting and recycling. Plus, here’s what to do with the fall leaves in your yard.
How to make some pumpkin compost 🎃
Drop off your carved and decaying pumpkins and gourds Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Division of Refuse Collection (2100 Alum Creek Dr.) for the entire month of November. Here are other drop-offs for suburbs like Dublin, Grandview, and New Albany.
The drop-off is intended to help Columbus achieve its Climate Action Plan goals, which includes reducing the amount of organic waste from its landfills by 90% in order to make the city more sustainable.
Pro tip: The event will not be held on Thanksgiving or Veteran’s Day, and pumpkins that have been drawn on or painted won’t be accepted.
Take it or leaf it 🍁
Fall is the biggest season for yard waste, but that doesn’t have to always be the case — there are simple steps to easily recycle leaves, sticks, grass clippings, and shrubbery.
- Place all organic recyclables in biodegradable paper bags marked with “yard waste.”
- Ensure each bag is no more than 50 lbs.
- Look up your city collection day or call (614) 645-3111 to find out.
- Place bags on the curb — there’s no limit to the number of bags a household can recycle.
