Washtenaw County Launches Pumpkin Recycling Program to Reduce Landfill Waste

Washtenaw County has partnered with seven local farms to gather and repurpose pumpkins after Halloween. The county's Water Resources Department runs this effort. It keeps rotting materials out of landfills by converting jack-o'-lanterns into animal feed and soil amendments.

Growing Hope in Ypsilanti is one farm joining the collection work this year. Six other agricultural sites across the county also accept pumpkins, gourds, and squashes.

Julius Buzzard serves as executive director at Growing Hope. He explained how the program tackles methane production from food scraps in landfills.

"The purpose is to help divert what would be food waste or other organic waste that could end up in the landfills and convert back to something useful," said Buzzard, according to Washtenaw County.

Jack-o'-lanterns count as food scraps. Organic materials breaking down in landfills produce methane gas. This gas harms the atmosphere and accelerates climate change.

The program accepts pumpkins, gourds, and squashes that meet certain rules. Participants must remove all decorations before dropping off their produce—candles, paint, stickers, and other non-organic items need to go. Chemical treatments or preservatives disqualify items from collection.

Farms participating will use the gathered materials two ways. Some will feed the pumpkins to livestock and other animals. Others will process the organic matter into compost for growing crops.

The program runs after Halloween, when millions of carved pumpkins usually end up in trash bins. This year, Halloween fell on Friday, October 31. Residents had several days to drop off their decorations at participating spots.

The Water Resources Department coordinates collection across the county, working with farms to manage drop-off sites and ensure proper handling.

Residents can find participating farms and their collection hours through the Washtenaw Conservation District website. The program accepts donations from households throughout the region.

This initiative expands the county's waste reduction work. Officials hope working with agricultural operations creates a sustainable cycle that benefits both the environment and local farms.

Compost made from gathered pumpkins will improve soil and support crop production at participating sites. Animals consuming the organic materials gain nutrition. Farms reduce feed costs.

The program asks residents to rethink waste after holidays. Used decorations don't have to become trash. Participants can contribute to local agriculture and environmental protection through simple drop-off actions.