Every year in Canada, over 80,000 tonnes of pumpkins are produced. Some of these pumpkins are turned into delicious desserts, or wildlife feed, but the majority are used solely as Halloween decorations and ultimately end up in the landfill.
When organic material like pumpkins break down, they release a potent greenhouse gas called methane which is 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide. In our waste audit last November, 8.9% of total household waste comprised of pumpkins.
The City's Plan
To reduce the environmental impacts of pumpkins being discarded in the landfill every year, the city is introducing a new service for the residents of Fredericton.
To divert pumpkins from our landfill, they will now be accepted with monthly yard waste pickups in October and November. They will then be transported with yard waste to the Beek Court Municipal Soil Management Facility where they will be processed and composted into topsoil for the city to use in parks, flowerbeds, and construction sites.
Pumpkins can also be dropped off at the Beek Court Municipal Management Facility that is open to residents 24/7.
Please ensure that pumpkins are free of candles, wax, plastic, metal, paint, stickers, and other non-organic materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Else Can You Do?
There are lots of ways to divert pumpkins from the landfill and make a difference in the City of Fredericton. Here are some alternative ways give your pumpkins a second life:
- Reach out to a local farm to see if they accept pumpkin donations for animal feed or composting
- Use uncarved pumpkins for cooking or baking
- Toast pumpkin seeds for a crunchy snack
- Make pumpkin dog treats
- Add pumpkins to your backyard compost
Together, we can make the City of Fredericton a greener place by taking these small steps against climate change.