As the jack-o’-lanterns dim and Halloween decorations come down, Clark County Public Health calls upon residents to think environment-first by composting their pumpkins instead of trashing them. According to information from Clark County Public Health's latest news release, around 60% of used Halloween pumpkins usually end up in U.S. landfills, where they decay and release methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. To mitigate this environmental harm, the health department advocates for bringing these gourds back to nature's fold through composting.
Clark County suggests several eco-conscious methods to reduce pumpkins' frightful impact on the environment after their Halloween antics. Residents are encouraged to reserve and roast the seeds for a nourishing treat, while the flesh can be repurposed into purees for culinary use. This approach minimally reduces the amount of pumpkins thrown away as food waste. Other sustainable means are available for disposing of the scraps that cannot be eaten.
Clark County residents have many options—whether they take their pumpkin remnants to a We Compost Community Hub without charge, add them to their curbside yard debris bin during specified months, or combine them into their own backyard compost piles. Information on community hub locations and composting at home can be found on respective web pages provided by the health department.
