HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Instead of tossing your Halloween pumpkins in the trash, Howard County residents can give them a second life through the county's annual Pumpkin Palooza program.
Starting Nov. 1, residents can drop off pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, gourds and squash at two locations in Howard County to be composted rather than sent to a landfill. Or, pumpkins can be taken to the Pumpkin Palooza Celebration Nov. 21.
The county's Pumpkin Palooza program runs through Nov. 20, followed by a free community celebration Nov. 21 at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System in Ellicott City.
According to the county, nearly 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills nationwide each year. The program, organized by the Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services, aims to reduce that waste by turning discarded pumpkins into compost.
Residents can bring carved, uncarved and painted pumpkins, as well as gourds and squash to be composted. Water-based paints are preferred and all decorations must be removed before drop-off. That includes candles, lights, plastic bags and other materials that cannot be composted.
Residents can bring their pumpkins to the following locations:
Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Center
2350 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville
6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia
Residents who participate in Howard County's Feed the Green Bin food scrap collection program also can place pumpkins in their green bins on their regular collection day.
Those unsure of their collection schedule can use the county's online collection day lookup tool.
Howard County also will host its third annual Pumpkin Palooza celebration Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System, 9421 Frederick Road in Ellicott City.
The free event will feature games, crafts, composting demonstrations, activities and food trucks.
Master Gardeners also will be available to answer questions about composting, growing gourds and harvesting.
The same guidelines for recycling pumpkins at the celebration apply. Residents can bring carved, uncarved and painted pumpkins, as well as gourds and squash to be composted.
Water-based paints are preferred and all decorations must be removed before drop-off. That includes candles, lights, plastic bags and other materials that cannot be composted.
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