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.

Looking for where to compost your pumpkins near Columbus, Ohio? Each fall, central Ohio communities including Dublin, Westerville, Grove City and Worthington offer free pumpkin composting drop-off sites to help residents reduce food waste and support sustainability. Whether you live in Franklin County or a nearby area, there’s likely a local pumpkin recycling location near you. Use the list below to find the nearest drop-off center, collection event or food waste program in your neighborhood.

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:

Bexley

Residents participating in curbside food waste collection
can have pumpkins picked up with their regular weekly
Monday service.

All residents can bring pumpkins to the food waste totes
at City Hall or drop them off at
1399 Brookwood to be enjoyed by wildlife.

Columbus

  • Alum Creek Waste and Reuse Convenience Center
    – 2100 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43207
    Dates: Oct. 31 – Nov. 30
    Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Georgesville Waste and Reuse Convenience Center
    – 1550 Georgesville Road, Columbus, OH 43228
    Dates: Oct. 31 – Nov. 30
    Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Stephen R. Lennon Refuse Collection Facility
    – 4260 Morse Road, Columbus, OH 43230
    Dates: Oct. 31 – Nov. 30
    Days: Monday–Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 28
    Saturday hours: 8 a.m.–noon

Dublin

Dublin Service Center
– 6555 Shier Rings Road
Dates: Oct. 19 – Dec. 14

Gahanna

Lower McCorkle Park
– 425 Olde Ridenour Road
Dates: Nov. 2 – Dec. 4

Grandview-Marble Cliff

Wallace Gardens
– 1581 Goodale
Dates: Nov. 2–30

Grove City

Fryer Park
– 3899 Orders Road
Dates: Nov. 1–30

Hilliard

Municipal Building parking lot
– 3790 Municipal Way
Dates: Nov. 1 – Dec. 7

New Albany

Taylor Farm
– 5526 E. Dublin Granville Road
Dates: Oct. 31 – Dec. 7

Reynoldsburg

JFK Park
– 7232 E. Main St.
Dates: Nov. 2 – Dec. 4

Upper Arlington

Fancyburg Park
– 3375 Kioka Avenue
Dates: Oct. 31 – Dec. 7

Westerville

Dates: Nov. 1–30

Service Department
– 350 Park Meadow Road

Parks & Recreation
– 469 Westdale Ave.

Worthington

Service and Engineering Building
– 380 Highland Ave.
Dates: Nov. 1 – Dec. 4

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!