Halloween celebrations have long included decorative pumpkins that are often tossed into the trash after the holiday. This year, the City’s waste hauler, Waste Management of Orange County, is encouraging residents to give their jack-o-lantern a second life by disposing of it in their green waste cart so it can be converted into compost and put back in the pumpkin patch.
“Organic waste, like this season’s decorative pumpkins, can be composted and reused as fertilizer to help produce healthier lawns, plants and flowers,” said Eloisa Orozco, a spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California.
To properly dispose of pumpkins, residents should remove any materials like candles, glow sticks and non-vegetative decorations and place the pumpkin in their green waste cart.
Residents can also drop off their pumpkin from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. November 3-7 at the Irvine Buy Back Center at 16122 Construction Circle East.
The following tips can also help you reduce, reuse and recycle this Halloween:
- Cook the pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds make a delicious treat. When carving jack-o-lanterns this year, save the seeds and roast them afterward. This is an easy, fun and tasty way to use up every little bit of the pumpkin and create a healthy snack, too.
- DIY decorations: Use repurposed materials from the recycling bin to make unique Halloween decor.
- Hold a costume exchange party. Halloween costumes are often worn only once. By trading costumes with a friend, last year’s outfit can get another wear and you can get something new.
- Trick or treat with recyclable bags. Canvas, cloth or other reusable bags are an earth-friendly and affordable alternative to plastic jack-o-lantern buckets. Decorate recyclable bags or old pillowcases with spooky scenes to create a one-of-a-kind carryall to take home sweet treats.
- Candy wrappers are a big source of litter on the streets this season. Dispose of your own wrappers and carry an extra bag to pick up garbage along the way.
Kelly Tokarski
The City of Mission Viejo
Public Information Specialist
