How to properly dispose of your pumpkin post-Halloween

When you wake up and the sugar high wears off, you may be wondering what to do with the pumpkin on your front porch.

There’s a few options depending on the situation, the Region of Waterloo says.

“Let your jack o'lantern live on as compost,” Deanna Dakin, project manager of waste management for the region said.

“Remember to remove candles and decorations. Pumpkins that have been painted are garbage.”

Once ready to get rid of the pumpkin it can be put in a yard waste container or bag if it’s your week for yard waste collection. It can also be put in, on top of or beside your green bin or in a backyard composter.

Dakin advises to chop up the pumpkin to speed up decomposition.

And what about any unwanted candy? It’s important to unwrap it, put the wrappers in the garbage and candy in the green bin, Dakin says.

“Diverting food waste from the landfill helps fight climate change,” she said.

“Organic waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By composting wasted food, methane emissions are significantly reduced.”

People looking for additional tips on garbage disposal and composting can download the Waste Whiz app at regionofwaterloo.ca.

Dozens of Jack-o'-lanterns will be on display at the Fiddlesticks Community Centre at 71 Cowan Blvd. on Nov. 1 for the annual Pumpkin Walk, an event billed as the “perfect opportunity to give your carved pumpkins an encore performance for the entire neighborhood to enjoy!”

Organizers welcome carved pumpkins between 8:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Pumpkins with paint or sparkles won't be accepted because all of the clean pumpkins will be donated to a farm for animal feed after the event.

In the evening, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. the pumpkins will be arranged and the candles will be lit for everybody in the community to enjoy.

Hot chocolate and apple cider will be served to keep visitors warm while they enjoy the pumpkins.