Deschutes County will host free pumpkin composting events on Nov. 7 and 8

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- Deschutes County will offer free pumpkin composting drop-off events on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 to help residents dispose of their jack-o'-lanterns after Halloween.

The county is encouraging residents to compost spent pumpkins instead of sending them to landfills. In addition to the designated drop-off sites, residents can compost pumpkins in backyard piles or place them in standard yard debris carts if they have eligible collection service.

The drop-off schedule begins on Saturday, Nov. 7, with two locations available. Deschutes Recycling at Knott Landfill will accept pumpkins from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while Caldera High School will host a Pumpkin SMASH event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 8, Bend Senior High School will host a second Pumpkin SMASH event from 1 to 3 p.m.

Specific preparation guidelines apply to all composted pumpkins. Residents must remove all candles, wax and decorations before composting. Painted pumpkins and those with non-removable decorations cannot be composted and must be thrown in the garbage.