Come November, many people who have decorated for Halloween are often left wondering what to do with their carved jack-o’-lantern, which by then is starting to look a bit wilted and attracting wildlife.
Well, the city of Sedona has a solution.
Sedona Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Compost Crowd, is hosting its second annual Pumpkin Drop. This year’s free pumpkin compost collection will take place on Monday, Nov. 2. It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at Posse Grounds Park in the parking lot closest to the baseball fields.
“The Pumpkin Drop was a collaborative brainstorm between the city’s Sustainability Department and Parks and Recreation,” Recreation Coordinator Ali Baxter said. “I have been working closely with [city sustainability coordinator] McKenzie Jones to bring new sustainable events and activities to our community, as well as put sustainable twists on our annual, signature events.”
The pumpkins are taken to the Compost Crowd farm where they will be composted. The compost is used to grow food that is sold locally. Last year 25 pumpkins were dropped off but Baxter said P&R hopes to double that figure this year.
According to wastedive. com, millions of pumpkins — weighing an estimated 1.3 billion pounds — will find their way into landfills across the country this season.
“As long as the once-cheerful jack-o’-lanterns are being properly recycled or reused for an eco-friendly purpose, their waste will no longer spook, but instead benefit, the industry,” the website states.
Compost Crowd can accept carved or whole pumpkins, but will not be able to accept any pumpkins that have been painted or decorated with glitter to reduce compost contamination.
Before the drop, Parks and Rec is hosting an online pumpkin carving contest that runs from Oct. 19 to 28.
The jack-o’-lantern judging will be broken into three categories: Scariest, most creative and most “Sedona.” This contest is open to all ages. Baxter said staff are not dividing the categories by ages.
“We’re keeping it simple for our first go at a virtual activity with engagement,” she said.
A winner will be announced for each category on Nov. 2 with a prize awarded for each. Winners will be notified by email and winning photos will be displayed on the city of Sedona’s Facebook page. Photo submissions and questions should be emailed to Baxter at abaxter@sedonaaz.gov.
