Don’t let your pumpkins go to waste: Safe disposal options

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — After Halloween, some may wonder what to do with their pumpkins. Fortunately, there are effective ways to dispose of them, along with organizations ready to help.

For six years now, New Hanover County’s Cooperative Extension, in coordination with the Coastal Composting Committee, has hosted a pumpkin collection drive. This initiative allows residents to bring their pumpkins for repurposing.

We spoke with Lloyd Singleton, the director of New Hanover County’s Cooperative Extension, who emphasizes that drop-off events like this keep pumpkins out of our landfills. Singleton requests that all decorations—such as candles, googly eyes, and toxic paint—be removed before dropping off the pumpkins. He explains why proper disposal is essential:

“Biodegradable materials that go into landfills actually produce methane gas, which is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, which isn’t a good thing. So by removing them from the landfill, they actually decompose naturally and don’t produce the methane gas, which is very harmful to our environment. So anytime we can reduce organic compostable materials from landfill waste, it’s a good thing.”

The first round of drop-offs will take place right after Halloween, from November 1st through the 10th. A second round will follow Thanksgiving, from November 29th through December 8th.

Multiple locations are available around New Hanover County.

Below is the list of the locations:

New Hanover County Arboretum at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. Enter off of Bradley Drive and follow the arrows to drop off pumpkins in marked collection trailer.

New Hanover County Landfill at 5210 U.S. 421 N. During regular business hours, inform staff at weigh house of pumpkin drop off for food waste composter to waive fee.

New Hanover County HazWagon (Space is limited). HazWagon accepts food waste (i.e. pumpkins) and operates 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday at Ogden Park in Wilmington (near baseball fields); Wednesday at Wrightsville Beach Town Hall; Friday at Carolina Beach Chappell Park; and on the first Saturday at Kure Beach Town Hall.

Wilmington Compost Company at 7336 N.C. 210, Rocky Point. Free pumpkin drop off in Pender County 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Wagoner Dining Hall at the College Road campus. During regular business hours, drop off in collection bin located in lobby.