How To Dispose of Pumpkins After Halloween: What to Know
When Halloween ends, keep pumpkins out of landfills. Americans toss ~1.3 billion pounds each year, creating ~7,500 tons of methane (28x more potent than CO₂). Wisconsin bans yard waste in landfills, and pumpkins are perfect compost: ~90% water with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. North Shore communities have streamlined these sustainable options into existing municipal services, making it easier than ever to dispose of your Halloween decorations responsibly.
Prep first
Remove candles, wax, stickers, ribbons, glitter, and plastic.
Painted? Only water-based paint that fully washes off is OK.
Never compost or donate bleached pumpkins.
Scoop seeds (roast or save) and cut/smash pumpkins to speed breakdown.
Easiest options by community
Whitefish Bay – Put pumpkins with yard waste through late fall. During leaf season, you may place them by curbside leaf piles.
Bayside – Dedicated pumpkin carts at Village Hall throughout November; pumpkins also accepted with regular yard waste collection.
Shorewood – Bag pumpkins in compostable paper bags for curbside collection; shared recycling center open select Saturdays.
Fox Point – Year-round weekly yard waste; loose-leaf collection in Oct–Nov.
Glendale – Bi-weekly yard waste through mid-November; use paper bags or ≤32-gal containers labeled “YARD WASTE.”
Brown Deer – 24/7 resident recycling center; scheduled yard-waste collection weeks.
River Hills – Brush collection only; use home composting, donation, or private hauler.
Always confirm placement rules (paper bags/containers, weight limits, set-out times) with your village DPW.
Home composting (quick version)
Treat pumpkins as “greens.” Mix roughly 1 part greens : 3 parts browns (dry leaves, straw, shredded paper).
Keep the pile damp, not soggy; turn weekly. Small pieces can disappear in 5–10 days in an active pile.
“Compost in place”: smash and bury 6–12 inches deep, then cover with leaves or mulch.
Smart reuses—before compost
Cook it: roast chunks, puree for soups and baking.
Seeds: rinse, roast, or dry to plant.
Donate fresh, undecorated pumpkins to farms or sanctuaries (e.g., Pumpkins for Pigs). Always call first.
What not to do
Put pumpkins in the trash.
Dump in parks or woods (it spreads weeds and disease).
Feed wildlife or leave near roads.
Turn your jack-o’-lantern into soil food, not landfill gas—and fall cleanup clean and legal.
North Shore communities have streamlined these sustainable options into existing municipal services, making it easier than ever to dispose of your Halloween decorations responsibly.