After you finish trick-or-treating and enjoy your delicious candy, the pumpkins on your front porch will need your attention. They don’t have to rot in landfills when there are plenty of composting options around Ann Arbor.
Learn where to compost your pumpkins to determine the best way to turn them into natural fertilizer at home or around town.
Ann Arbor residential compost carts
The City of Ann Arbor helps people live more sustainable lifestyles with a composting program. People living within city limits can get a free 64-gallon compost cart through the available trash and recycling service. Contact the program representative to ask about getting one and starting a pickup schedule.
At-home compost bins
You can start a compost bin in your backyard. Use Washington County’s recipe card to create a compost nutrient base with enough moisture and additives to start decomposition. You’ll soon have an at-home fertilizer system that could complement your gardening hobby.
People who don’t consider themselves gardeners can still benefit from composting waste. You could add it to your landscaped plants when the snow melts in the spring. They’ll use the extra nutrients to recover from their winter hibernation.
RELATED: What to Do Instead of Trick-or-Treating
Tuthill Farms & Composting
Some compost programs don’t accept food waste, but Tuthill Farms & Composting is different. Once you remove any push-in accessories or battery-powered candles from your pumpkins, drop them off at the farm. The accessories could concentrate pollutants up to a million times in seawater if they reach the ocean. They’re also not biodegradable.
Tuthill Farms accepts things like pumpkins because the team knows that Michigan residents need more access to compost centers. You’ll keep more waste out of landfills by scheduling a visit to the farm.
Goldfinch Farm
Goldfinch Farm has an excellent drop-off compost program in Saline. The pasteurized meat and egg company welcomes donated composting materials throughout the year, especially during the holidays. It accepts numerous fall decorations, including pumpkins, straw bales and corn stalks.
Ypsilanti Township Compost Site
The Ypsilanti Township composting site is open to anyone living nearby. All you have to do is show proof of your residence with a state ID or driver’s license. The venue is open throughout the year, except in January and February.
You’ll also have to pay a small fee to get in. Prepare cash or a check because the site does not accept debit or credit cards. The minor price supports the site’s operations, helping others donate compost to minimize landfill use.
