Houston's Pumpkin Composting Program Opens Saturday at Two Drop-Off Sites
Houston residents can drop off whole pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, seeds and pulp — loose, with all decorations removed — at the Houston Reuse Warehouse and the Westpark Recycling Center, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from October 24 through November 28.
Houston's annual Pumpkin Compost Drop-Off Program opens Saturday, October 24, and runs through November 28, Houston Public Works said. The Solid Waste Management Division runs the program in partnership with Council Member Sallie Alcorn, giving residents a way to keep pumpkins out of landfills while supporting local composting efforts, FOX 26 Houston reported. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the program, which has diverted more than 63,000 pounds of organic material from landfills since 2022, according to Alcorn.
Residents can drop off pumpkins at two locations, both open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the City of Houston's program page: the Houston Reuse Warehouse at 9003 N. Main St. and the Westpark Recycling Center at 5900 Westpark. The sites accept whole pumpkins, carved jack-o'-lanterns, and pumpkin pieces including flesh, seeds and pulp, as well as natural, undecorated gourds and squash. There will be no drop-off on November 26-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday, and the program resumes Saturday, November 28, the city said.
The rules are simple, the city said: remove all candles, wax, stickers, paint, glitter, tape, plastic and other decorations before drop-off, and bring pumpkins loose — if they arrive in a bag or box, empty the contents straight into the bin. The program is free for City of Houston residents, no ID or registration is required, residents may bring up to one truck bed of pumpkins, and commercial loads are not accepted. Pumpkins are not accepted in curbside recycling and should not be placed in the recycling cart.
"Reducing the amount of trash we send to landfills helps preserve capacity," said Alcorn, who holds At-Large Position 5. "By turning organic waste into a useful resource, this program helps us build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Houston." Houston Public Works Director Randy Macchi encouraged more residents to take part this year, calling pumpkin composting "a simple seasonal habit that makes a big difference." Residents with questions can call the 311 service request line at 713-837-0311, the city said.
