As Halloween passes and pumpkins begin to fade from Lakewood residents’ front porches, the question of what to do with them arises. The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District has partnered with several cities in the county, including Lakewood, to develop a solution that reduces waste, enhances soil, and helps plant growth—composting pumpkins.
Starting Oct. 30 and running through Nov. 10, pumpkins or gourds can be dropped into the bin at Kauffman Park, 15450 Detroit Ave. The annual program, run by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and the city of Lakewood, accepts intact, carved, or uncarved pumpkins and gourds, as long as they have not been treated, painted, or decorated with noncompostable materials.
What’s the goal? To shift public waste from landfills and turn it into new fuel for soil through composting. Mia Martinez, a Lakewood resident, commented on composting while at the bin:
“This program makes me think differently about how we throw so much out each year that is compostable, and, of course, composting is great for the environment,” Martinez said.
During the collection period, a large 20-yard container is placed at Kauffman Park for residents to deposit old pumpkins and gourds, which will be taken to a composting center. Composting pumpkins is simple. Residents bring their pumpkins, remove stickers or candles, remove bags, hay, or any other add-ons, and place them in the bin with the rest. After the final day, the pumpkins are taken to a composting facility and turned into fertilizer.
For residents of Lakewood and the rest of Cuyahoga County, this is an opportunity not just to throw something out but to turn pumpkins into something beneficial. Continuing to compost pumpkins reduces landfill waste and supports local composting efforts.
Beyond the immediate benefits of reducing landfill waste, the pumpkin composting program also serves as a hands-on educational opportunity for the community. Families, students, and local gardeners can see firsthand how organic materials break down and return to the earth, reinforcing the connection between human actions and environmental health.
“Dropping off my pumpkin has made me realize I can compost so much more at home,” Lakewood resident David Johnson said. Many methods, such as backyard composting, reducing single-use plastics, and minimizing food waste at home, can be forms of composting. By creating awareness about how small actions can collectively make a difference, the initiative strengthens community engagement around environmental stewardship.
The compost produced from these pumpkins also has practical uses beyond the program. Once decomposed, the nutrient-rich matter serves to improve soil quality in public parks, community gardens, and residential landscapes within both Lakewood and Cuyahoga County. This organic fertilizer improves soil quality, supports healthy plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. The benefits of natural fertilization promote a greener, more sustainable urban environment. For residents, it also adds a tangible sense of purpose and satisfaction to what might otherwise be considered a seasonal cleanup. Pumpkins help feed the gardens, trees, and greenery around them.
“It keeps a lot of waste out of the landfill, and I like that we’re making something useful out of something that is usually thrown away,” Lakewood resident Noah Davis said when asked why he sees a purpose in composting.
Alternate drop-off locations are also available throughout the county, including the Brecksville service department in Brecksville, the Westlake Police Department, the Elmwood Recreation Center in Independence and other sites. The full list can be found here.
