Before you toss that Halloween pumpkin in the trash, the City of Houston has another idea: Turn it into compost.
Houston Public Works is bringing back its annual Pumpkin Compost Drop-Off Program, allowing residents to dispose of their pumpkins for free instead of sending them to a landfill.
The program begins Saturday, Oct. 24, and runs through Nov. 28 at two locations across Houston.
Residents can bring everything from whole pumpkins to carved jack-o’-lanterns, as long as all decorations have been removed.
According to Houston Public Works, the program has diverted more than 63,000 pounds of organic material from landfills since 2022.
Residents can bring their pumpkins to either of the following locations:
City of Houston Reuse Warehouse
Westpark Recycling Center
Both locations accept pumpkins Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The program is free for City of Houston residents, and no registration or proof of residency is required.
Drop-off locations will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, for Thanksgiving. The program will resume for its final day on Saturday, Nov. 28.
The city will accept:
However, residents must remove any nonorganic materials before dropping off their pumpkins.
That includes candles, wax, stickers, paint, glitter, tape, plastic and other decorations.
Pumpkins should be placed directly into the collection bins without bags or boxes.
The program is intended for residential use only, with a limit of up to one truck bed of pumpkins per resident. Commercial loads will not be accepted.
Residents should also avoid placing pumpkins in their curbside recycling carts, as the city does not accept them through its regular recycling program.
The seasonal initiative is designed to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills by turning discarded pumpkins into compost.
Houston Public Works is partnering with City Council Member Sallie Alcorn, who represents At-Large Position 5, to organize the program.
“This year marks the sixth anniversary of Houston’s annual pumpkin composting program, which has diverted more than 63,000 pounds of organic material from our landfills since 2022,” Alcorn said in a city news release.
City officials say composting helps preserve landfill capacity while turning organic waste into a useful resource.
Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi also encouraged more residents to participate this year, describing pumpkin composting as a simple seasonal habit that can benefit the community.
Pumpkins can only be dropped off during the facilities’ operating hours. Residents should not leave pumpkins outside the gates when the locations are closed.
For additional information, visit the City of Houston’s Pumpkin Compost Drop-Off Program page or contact Houston 311 at 713-837-0311.
