The candy wrappers have been swept up, the costumes tucked away, and your little ghouls are already asking about Christmas lights … but what about that pumpkin still sitting on the porch? Before you toss it in the trash, let’s talk about some fun, easy, and eco-friendly ways to give your Halloween pumpkin a second life.
Save the Seeds
Whether you carved your pumpkin or just enjoyed it as festive porch décor, you’ve got seeds to scoop out. Instead of throwing them away:
- Feed the wildlife: Dry the seeds and leave them out for birds and squirrels. You’ll be surprised how fast your backyard becomes the neighborhood snack bar. Here’s how to do it.
- Roast them for a snack: Clean them up, season with your favorite spices, and pop them in the oven. Pumpkin seeds are packed with protein and make the perfect crunchy fall treat. We rounded up some of our favorite recipes here. (link needed)
Put the Pulp to Work
Carving a jack-o-lantern means scooping out a lot of pulp. Don’t pitch it — turn it into pumpkin puree! Here’s a step-by-step guide. Once you’ve got that golden puree, the possibilities are endless: muffins, pies, chili, syrup, even homemade pumpkin spice lattes.
Need inspiration? We’ve got you covered with our pumpkin recipe roundup.
Reuse the Rind
The pumpkin rind is often overlooked, but it’s actually one of the best parts to repurpose:
- Animal buffet: Critters love pumpkin as much as we do. Chop the rind into smaller pieces and leave it out for squirrels, deer, or other neighborhood wildlife. Just make sure you’ve removed any candles or wax first.
- DIY pumpkin feeder: Cut your pumpkin in half, hollow it out, and fill it with bird or squirrel seed. Add a couple of dowels across for perches and you’ve got yourself an adorable backyard feeder. Here’s a simple tutorial.
- Compost it: Smash it and toss it into your compost pile for a nutrient boost. Pro tip: remove the seeds first unless you want a surprise pumpkin patch popping up next year!
Don’t Want the Mess? Drop It Off!
If reusing your pumpkin at home isn’t in the cards, Houston has several drop-off spots where your gourds will be turned into compost or even used for livestock feed:
- City of Houston Reuse Warehouse
9003 N. Main St., Houston, TX 77022
Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(Also open every 2nd and 4th Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) - Westpark Recycling Center
5900 Westpark, Houston, TX 77339
Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Central City Co-Op
2515 Harvard St., Houston, TX 77008
Tuesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Memorial Villages Farmers Market
10840 Beinhorn Rd., Houston, TX 77024
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(Make sure they aren’t cut open or painted; these pumpkins will be fed to livestock!)
We’d love to hear from you too: what’s your favorite way to reuse your Halloween pumpkin? Share your tips and traditions with us in the comments!
