Pumpkin Palooza Returns To Howard Co. With Free Drop-Offs, Festival

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Instead of tossing your Halloween pumpkins in the trash, Howard County residents can give them a second life through the county's annual Pumpkin Palooza program.

Starting Nov. 1, residents can drop off pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, gourds and squash at two locations in Howard County to be composted rather than sent to a landfill. Or, pumpkins can be taken to the Pumpkin Palooza Celebration Nov. 21.

The county's Pumpkin Palooza program runs through Nov. 20, followed by a free community celebration Nov. 21 at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System in Ellicott City.

According to the county, nearly 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills nationwide each year. The program, organized by the Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services, aims to reduce that waste by turning discarded pumpkins into compost.

Residents can bring carved, uncarved and painted pumpkins, as well as gourds and squash to be composted. Water-based paints are preferred and all decorations must be removed before drop-off. That includes candles, lights, plastic bags and other materials that cannot be composted.

Where To Drop Off Pumpkins

Residents can bring their pumpkins to the following locations:

Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Center

2350 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville

• Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Pumpkin drop-offs accepted during regular operating hours.

Robinson Nature Center

6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia

• Dates: Nov. 1-20.
• Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pumpkins In The Food Scrap Program

Residents who participate in Howard County's Feed the Green Bin food scrap collection program also can place pumpkins in their green bins on their regular collection day.

Those unsure of their collection schedule can use the county's online collection day lookup tool.

Pumpkin Palooza Celebration Nov. 21

Howard County also will host its third annual Pumpkin Palooza celebration Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System, 9421 Frederick Road in Ellicott City.

The free event will feature games, crafts, composting demonstrations, activities and food trucks.

Master Gardeners also will be available to answer questions about composting, growing gourds and harvesting.

The same guidelines for recycling pumpkins at the celebration apply. Residents can bring carved, uncarved and painted pumpkins, as well as gourds and squash to be composted.

Water-based paints are preferred and all decorations must be removed before drop-off. That includes candles, lights, plastic bags and other materials that cannot be composted.