Don't Trash Jack

By Christen Quijano, North Haven Conservation Committee

November 4, 2021

Fall is upon us and it's time to carve out the time honored Jack-o'-lantern.

We take such pride in picking out the right pumpkin based on its shape, color and ability to achieve our future creation that we have planned for.

After Jack is aglow on All Hallows Eve and the candle is blown out for the season, it’s withered face fades and just like everything else surrounding the holiday.

According to the USDA, 2 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown every year in the U.S.

Most of those pumpkins end up in in a landfill and eventually emit methane – a greenhouse gas with more than 20 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide.

The North Haven Conservation Committee suggests that you put your pumpkin in the back of your yard, compost pile so it can be recycled into nutritious soil for the spring or even as a tasty treat for the squirrels and birds during winter’s frost.

Dispose or toast up the seeds first or you will have mini Jacks sprouting up next year.

For more information visit northhavenconservation.org.