Did you know that more than a billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away every year in the United States? All that organic material doesn’t need to go to a landfill, though. You can compost your autumn pumpkins or gourds in a backyard composter or drop them off at one of the many local community pumpkin drop-off sites.

To compost them at home, clean your pumpkins of any paint, decorations, or wax residue. Then, cut them into smaller pieces so that it’s easier for them to break down in your backyard compost pile or bin.

Cows, chickens, and other common farm animals also love to snack on pumpkins, so some local farms accept pumpkin and gourd donations each fall. Check social media for postings or ask your friendly local farmer.

And if you’d like to just drop your pumpkin off for composting, check out one of these local pumpkin and gourd collection locations:

  • SWACO Recycling Convenience Center: October 1 – December 14,  2025 , Monday-Friday 10:30 am- 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00 am-4:30 pm, 2566 Jackson Pike, Columbus OH
  • Bexley: Residents participating in the curbside collection program may set out pumpkins on Mondays, November 6, and December 4. All other Bexley residents, take your pumpkin/gourds to the open 24/7 food waste drop-off toters at City Hall.
  • City of Columbus: October 31 -November 30, 2025, Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am and 6:00 pm
    • Columbus Waste and Reuse Convenience Center, 2070 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH
    • Westside Waste and Reuse Convenience Center, 1550 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH
  • Dublin: October 20 – December 12, 2025
    • Dublin Service Center, 6555 Shier Rings Road, Dublin OH
  • Gahanna: October 30 – December 10, 2025
    • Friendship Park, 152 Oklahoma Avenue, Gahanna, OH
  • Grandview: November 4 – November 29, 2025
    • Wallace Gardens, 1581 Goodale Boulevard, Grandview Heights, OH
  • Grove City: November 1 – December 2, 2025
    • Fryer Park, 3899 Orders Road, Grove City, OH
  • New Albany: October 31 – December 8, 2025
    • New Albany Public Service Complex, 7800 Bevelhymer Road, New Albany, OH
  • Upper Arlington: October 31 – December 8, 2025
    • Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Avenue, Upper Arlington, OH.
  • Westerville: November 1 – November 30, 2025
    • Westerville Service Department, 350 Park Meadow Rd, Westerville OH.
    • Westerville Parks & Recreation, 469 Westdale Ave, Westerville OH
  • Worthington: November 1 – December 1, 2025
    • Worthington Service and Engineering Building, 380 Highland Avenue, Worthington OH

 

Intact and decaying pumpkins, carved jack-o’-lanterns and gourds are all accepted. Please remove candles and avoid dropping off pumpkins that have been painted or drawn on with permanent markers.

Happy holidays, happy composting!