Fairfax County is inviting residents to turn their post-Halloween jack-o’-lanterns from holiday decor to “compost gold” at this year’s Pumpkin Palooza.
Through Nov. 15, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program is accepting used pumpkins and gourds for composting at the I-95 Landfill Complex (850 Furnace Road) and the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road).
Drop-offs are welcome Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To ensure the pumpkins are suitable for composting, the county requests that all decorations, including glitter, paint, and candle wax, be removed prior to drop-off.
Residents interested in a DIY composting option can simply place their carved or uncarved pumpkins in a garden area over the winter. Nature will take its course, breaking down the pumpkins to enrich the soil with nutrients and potentially sprouting a surprise pumpkin vine in the spring.
For those who prefer not to compost, the county suggests using the remaining pumpkins to create delicious fall treats, turning what would be waste into tasty recipes that celebrate the season.
“Not only will you enjoy the seasonal flavors, but some recipes use the entire pumpkin to further reduce food waste,” the Department of Public Works and Enviornmental Services said in a press release.
Last spring, following a successful two-year pilot, Fairfax County inaugurated its dedicated composting station for food scraps at the I-66 disposal facility.
Additionally, the Fairfax County Park Authority has introduced composting drop-offs at every one of its farmers markets. In 2022, nearly 37 tons of compost were collected after the service was initially launched.
A spokesperson told FFXnow the county collected nearly 1,300 pounds of pumpkin compost last year.
