Once all the tricks and treats are over and the sun comes up on Nov. 1, those jack-o-lanterns in your yard might need a new home. Rather than hunting for a new pumpkin pie recipe, consider taking your carved or whole gourds to one of several locations around the District to turn it into something new.
The Department of Public Works’ Food Waste Drop-off Program’s “Pumpkin Rescue” event has been repurposing decorative pumpkins for food waste and composting for years. The drop-off program also accepts other fruit and vegetable scraps, as well as egg shells, dried flowers, coffee grounds, and many other materials.
Uncarved and unpainted pumpkins that people bring in are donated to partners such as Miriam’s Kitchen and Martha’s Table and turned into food.
Carved pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, on the other hand, will be composted. Just remove candles or wax, cut them up, and store them in a sealed container. Then, head over to any of the participating drop-off locations over the next three weekends: Nov. 2-3, 9-10, and 16-17.
Here are the participating locations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday:
- Ward 1: Columbia Heights Farmers Market—14th & Kenyon St. NW
- Ward 2: Glover Park Burleith Farmers Market—34th & Wisconsin Ave. NW
- Ward 3: University of District of Columbia—4340 Connecticut Ave. NW
- Ward 4: 14th & Kennedy Farmers Market—14th & Kennedy St. NW
- Ward 5: Brookland Farmers Market—716 Monroe St. NE
- Ward 6: Eastern Market—635 North Carolina Ave. SE
- Ward 7: Parkside-Kenilworth Farmers Market—750 Parkside Pl. NE
- Ward 8: The ArcFarms—1901 Mississippi Ave. SE (through Nov. 10. After that, the Ward 8 Farmers Market at 3200 6th St. SE reopens on Nov. 17.)
Plus, the Dupont Circle Farmers Market at 1500 20th St. NW will participate in the rescue on Sunday, November 3.
If you can’t make it to any of these locations on those dates, Mom’s Organic Market in Ivy City also has composting services available year-round.
