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October 24, 2016 - 3:18 PM
Once Halloween is over, instead of throwing your jack o'lantern in the garbage, how about composting your Halloween pumpkin.
“Pumpkins are rich in nitrogen, a big part of a composter’s diet,” says Waste Reduction Facilitator Rae Stewart with the Regional Waste Reduction Office.
“Just chop up your pumpkin into small pieces and toss it into your backyard composter with some fall leaves. It will break down well to become a nutrient rich soil amendment you can put in your garden or flower beds next spring,” says Stewart.
It’s estimated that 25,000 or about nine tonnes of pumpkins will be disposed of this fall. That’s a lot of great compost waiting to happen!
If you don’t compost, you can put your pumpkin in your yard waste cart for your next pickup. Check your Living Greener Calendar, the My-Waste app, or regionaldistrict.com/recycle for yard waste pickup schedules in your area. A reminder that yard waste pick- up ends for the year November 30th.
Visit the Regional District website for more information on composting or yard waste collection programs, or call the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 250-469-6250.
*Based on half the homeowners in the Central Okanagan having one small size jack ‘o-lantern.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016