The Environmentalist Alternative to Throwing Out Your Pumpkins

October 31st has now come and gone and there seems to be little use for the festive, decorative gourds that exist seasonally in abundance. But there is an alternative to trashing your pumpkins that has some value for the environment and the community.

Compost Cab, a local organization that works to reduce food waste, started an initiative dubbed 'Pumpkins For The People' that seeks to collect pumpkins for either composting or donating to a local food rescue organization. The program also raises awareness about food waste in the U.S.

As far as the process goes, you can expect fully intact, uncarved pumpkins to be donated to a number of partner organizations, including DC Central Kitchen, Soupergirl, Food Rescue US, and many more. On the other hand, jack-o'-lanterns can be cut into smaller pieces and composted, along with other small food scraps.

Last year, the program collected over 8,000 pounds of pumpkin, and Compost Cab expects there to be upwards of 20,000 pounds collected this year.

In coalition with the D.C. Department of Public Works' Food Waste Drop-off Program and other community partners, this initiative is sponsoring free drop-off sites starting this weekend. Residents will be able to make drop-offs at locations across all eight wards. You can find a full list here.

The initiative will host drop-off sites that will be available Nov. 3-4 and Nov. 10-11.

Halloween may be over, but there's still time to commit to a local cause that benefits not just your neighbors, but also the planet.