Don’t Trash That Pumpkin: Where to Recycle Pumpkins in the Hamptons This November

Give your Halloween leftovers a greener ending with free pumpkin recycling in East Hampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Hampton Bays and Westhampton.

Halloween is over, but don’t trash that pumpkin just yet. Repurpose it as compost and give the environment a treat.

The towns of East Hampton and Southampton are offering free pumpkin recycling at five locations across the Hamptons this November, turning leftover jack-o’-lanterns and gourds into nutrient-rich compost instead of sending them to the landfill.

Recycle your pumpkins and gourds on the East End

The idea is simple: Reduce waste, cut disposal costs and return valuable nutrients to the soil. It’s a win for the environment and next season’s gardens.

In East Hampton, a special weekend drop-off is scheduled for Nov. 14–15, while Southampton Town is accepting pumpkins and other fall harvest leftovers at four transfer stations through Nov. 30.

Here’s where to give your pumpkins a proper send-off.

Don’t trash your pumpkins – recycle them

East Hampton: Pumpkin Recycling Weekend, Nov. 14–15

Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14–15, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
East Hampton Town Hall parking lot
159 Pantigo Road, East Hampton
Cost: Free

East Hampton Compost, a partnership between ReWild Long Island and the Town of East Hampton, is hosting a two-day pumpkin and gourd collection as part of the Long Island Pumpkin Pick Up, in collaboration with the Long Island Organics Initiative, Maggio Environmental and Long Island Compost.

“After Halloween, a lot of jack-o’-lanterns end up in the trash, and hauling that trash off the East End costs all of us,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “Composting costs less and gives something back to our soil.”

The collected pumpkins will be turned into compost that can help nourish gardens next season.

What to bring: Plain, untreated pumpkins and gourds only. No paint, markers, glitter, glue, bleach, candle wax, glass or other nonorganic decorations. Remove candles and accessories before dropping them off.

More information: https://rewildlongisland.org/compost

Southampton Town: Free Pumpkin Recycling Through Nov. 30

Nov. 1–30, during regular transfer station hours
Cost: Free

Southampton Town is extending the pumpkin recycling season with a monthlong composting program at four town transfer stations.

And pumpkins aren’t the only things invited to the compost party. The town is also accepting gourds, corn stalks and hay bales, giving residents a way to dispose of fall harvest materials without adding to the waste stream.

Recycle your pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks

Hampton Bays Transfer Station

Daily, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
30 Jackson Ave., Hampton Bays

North Sea Transfer Station

Daily, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
1370 Majors Path, Southampton

Sag Harbor Transfer Station

Thursday–Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
1404 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor
Closed Wednesdays

Westhampton Transfer Station

Thursday–Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
66 Old Country Road, Westhampton
Closed Wednesdays

What to bring: Pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and hay bales. All materials must be clean and free of paint, glitter, jewels, candles and other artificial decorations.

For more information, contact Southampton Town Waste Management at 631-283-5210 or visit https://www.southamptontownny.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/2108.

Recycle your gourds, pumpkins and cornstalks this year

Before You Drop Off That Pumpkin

A few ground rules apply at both towns’ collection sites. Pumpkins and gourds should be free of paint, markers, glitter, glue, wax, bleach, glass and other nonorganic materials.

In other words, your pumpkin can keep its crooked grin, but the Halloween makeup and accessories have to go.

And with free drop-offs available across the Hamptons, there’s no reason for your jack-o’-lantern to end its Halloween career in a garbage bag.