Pumpkins Are Not Considered OK for Organics Recycling
Pumpkins are considered yard waste, and not suitable to be included in organics recycling containers.
Why is that?
According to Hennepin Recycling Group administrator and Brooklyn Park recycling services manager Tim Pratt, there’s two reasons why pumpkins are yard waste.
“Pumpkins have more in common with plant matter than they do with food scraps,” said Pratt.
Size also matters. Pumpkins are typically large.
“Their volume can make it tricky for compost site managers to properly balance the composition of carbon and nitrogen in the compost piles,” said Pratt.
Encouraging Organics Recycling
This summer, the Hennepin Recycling Group got a grant from Hennepin County to put in an organics drop-off for people to use free of charge. The services is open to anyone who lives, works or plays in Hennepin County. Crystal worked with Hennepin County and the organization to open up a place to recycle organics, but participants must register first. The bins are located near the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center on Douglas Drive.
“Residents use green bags to collect organics and they can bring it here 24/7,” explained Crystal Public Works director Mark Ray. “One of the big reasons we’re trying to expand organics is not only because of the Hennepin County rule change, but also that one third of all of the trash is organics.”
Organics can include items like fruit, vegetable and meat remnants as well as items like tissues, napkins and pizza boxes.
Since the location opened in July, there have been 225 people sign up to use the drop off and it averages more than 400 lbs. of organics collected each week.
Learn more about organics recycling from the Hennepin Recycling Group, which is a joint powers agreement between Brooklyn Center, Crystal and New Hope, and register, here.
After registering with Hennepin County, you can recycle your organics in containers off Douglas Drive, near the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.
Recycle your Pumpkins
However, organics recycling does not include your pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns or other fall gourds. Those items can be taken to a pumpkin drop-off bin.
Brooklyn Park has a free drop-off container in Central Park across the street from Brooklyn Park’s Operations and Maintenance facility. Pumpkins can be dropped off between Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Monday, Nov. 7. The pumpkins will be made into compost that will be used for soil. You do need to remove all candles, wax and decorations before disposal. Learn more here.
In Plymouth, you can drop off discarded pumpkins, gourds, and apples Nov. 1-14 at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility. The waste becomes food for farm animals. You should look for the dumpster with a ‘Pumpkin Drop’ sign on it on the west side of the facility. You are also asked to remove all candles too. Learn more here.
Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Champlin | Corcoran | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale | Rogers | Twin Cities | Wayzata
