What to do with pumpkins after Halloween

SAN ANTONIO – Now that Halloween is over, you might be thinking about throwing away the pumpkins you’ve carved or painted. But before you toss them in the trash, what you may not know is that they can be harmful to the environment.

Pumpkins left in a landfill can’t get enough oxygen to decompose and create methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

You can always compost your leftover pumpkin husks and seeds, or cook them if they’re fresh enough. Pumpkins are also a favorite snack for local wildlife such as birds, squirrels and deer.

You can also donate your pumpkins to local farmers.

Pumpkins for pigs is a nationwide non-profit organization that connects people with farmers who accept pumpkin donations for their livestock. A list of participating farms can be found on their online website.