The Cook County Forest Preserves Doesn't Want Your Rotting Pumpkins

COOK COUNTY, IL — If you’re thinking about dumping your Halloween jack-o-lantern's rotting carcass or yard waste in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, you could be looking at a hefty fine if you get caught.

"People caught dumping pumpkins, or anything, in the Forest Preserves can be fined up to $500," officials said. “If it costs the Forest Preserves (taxpayers) more to remove it, you will be charged more.”

In recent years, environmentalists have been suggesting that people leave their Halloween pumpkins to the local woods to feed the little squirrels and chipmunks as a means of recycling.

Since the pumpkins we carve tend to be heavy and bulky, tossing them can fill up your trash can and head straight to a landfill. According to Climate Central, pumpkins and other types of organic waste emit methane gas, which is actually 25 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.

Also, agriculture contributes to 9 percent of harmful emissions that contribute to climate change, the EPA says. A good chunk of this can be linked to the 19 billion pounds of pumpkins produced each year. So absolutely DO NOT throw pumpkins away.

Instead, use the pumpkin guts for compost in your garden. If your pumpkin is still fairly fresh, make a sweet and savory pie.

Here are some more earth friendly ways to dispose of your Halloween pumpkin and yard waste, courtesy of the Forest Preserves of Cook County:

• Residents should not dump leaves, yard clippings, fallen branches or any yard waste into the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Instead, your yard waste belongs:
• In your yard: Beneficial native insects spend the winter in the ground, under leaf litter and even in the stems of dead plant material—improving the soil and providing food for birds.
• In your compost bin: Set up a compost bin or pay for a composting service in your area. It reduces rat issues, methane gas, and protects the preserves.
• In a commercial composting facility: Ask your city, town or village if they have a composting program.
• Using a lawn service? Ask them what happens to your yard waste and let them know that the Forest Preserves doesn’t need it?

Do you have pumpkin waste but not compost bins? Visit Scarce to find a pumpkin smash near you.