Give Your Pumpkins New Life
Did you know nearly 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are landfilled each year?
Let's not let our pumpkin harvests go to waste. Compost your pumpkins through one of the many drop-off options available in Howard County during Pumpkin Palooza!
Pumpkin Palooza 2026!
Saturday, November 21 from 11am-2pm at Howard County Library System, Miller Branch Join us for games, activities, crafts and food. Ask A Master Gardener about composting, growing gourds and harvesting tips! Bring your sunken pumpkins to be composted!
Pumpkin Composting & Drop-Offs
- Pumpkins (carved, uncarved and painted), jack-o'-lanterns, gourds and squash are all acceptable.
- Please remove all candles, lights, decorations, plastic bags, etc. before setting out pumpkins.
- County residents in our Feed The Green Bin Food Scrap Collection Program can set pumpkins out on their regular food scrap collection day. Not sure of your day? Use our online look-up tool to find out.
Please remove all candles, lights, decorations, plastic bags, etc. before setting out pumpkins.
Alpha Ridge Landfill, Residents' Convenience Center
2350 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Open all year
Monday-Saturday (8am-4pm)
Please remove all candles, lights, decorations, plastic bags, etc. before setting out pumpkins.
6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044
November 1 - 20
Tuesday-Sunday (9am-5pm)