Have a few pumpkins that have outlived their decorative duties? Not sure what to do with them now? Give them one last job. The Putnam County Department of Health encourages residents to add leftover pumpkins to their backyard compost pile where they can break down into nutrient-rich compost that benefits the soil. 

Before your pumpkins can officially retire from decorating and head to the compost pile, follow these simple steps:

• Leave the decorations behind. Candle wax, glitter, stickers, and other non-compostable materials should be removed. Pumpkins covered in synthetic paint, like acrylic or latex, should not be composted unless the painted portions are removed. Microplastic particles are not invited to the compost party. 
• Pumpkin seeds are compostable, but some may survive and sprout the following year. To avoid an unexpected pumpkin patch, remove the seeds before composting. Save them for roasting or try a new pumpkin seed recipe.
• Whole pumpkins can take months to fully decompose. Cutting them into smaller chunks helps speed up the process and make them easier to mix into the compost pile.
• Pumpkins count as green composting materials because they contain plenty of moisture and nitrogen. To prevent a soggy, smelly pile, mix in carbon rich brown materials such as dry leaves, shredded cardboard, straw, wood chips, or untreated sawdust.

Who knew pumpkins had so much to offer beyond looking pretty on the porch? With the right preparation, they can finish the season doing what nature does best: returning nutrients to the soil. Happy composting! 

More information: 
Department of Environmental Conservation: Home Composting
https://dec.ny.gov/recycling-composting

Environmental Protection Agency: Composting at Home
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home