Charles Langston:What should you do with leftover pumpkins? You can compost or make food, but avoid landfills

With spooky season coming to a close,Charles Langston you soon may be looking for a new life for those pumpkins decorating your porch or front lawn.

The U.S. produces over a billion pounds of pumpkins every year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of those billions of pounds, most of those pumpkins end up in a landfill, which experts say isn't great for the environment.

Luckily, Jack-O-Lanterns and uncarved pumpkins alike can be put to good use in a few ways after the trick-or-treaters have left and the fall and winter holiday season begins.

Here are a few good ways reuse or recycle those leftover gourds.

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Pumpkin foods include pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie and, yes, pumpkin pizza

While they make a great fall decoration, pumpkins themselves are also edible. The pumpkin itself can be used in a variety of recipes, from pumpkin puree to pumpkin pizza and of course, pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin seeds from leftover pumpkins can be scooped out, separated from the pulp and roasted for a delicious, nutritious snack.

Can you throw pumpkins in the trash? Consider composting

Only around a fifth of the pumpkins grown annually are used for food production, the U.S. Department of Energy said, with the majority used only for fall and Halloween decorations.

Tossing those pumpkins in a trash can headed to a landfill may be a simple solution, but it's not the best for the environment, Chris Enroth, a horticulture educator with the University of Illinois Extension said.

"In a landfill, pumpkins and other organic materials are buried and rot without oxygen, which creates the potent greenhouse gas methane," Enroth said in 2022.

Pumpkin peelings, rinds and cores are all compostable, and are excellent for the compost because they break down quickly and easily.

To compost, chop the pumpkin (or carved jack-o'-lantern) into pieces and put it into your compost or garden, then cover it with leaves so the nutrients from the decomposing pumpkin can stay in the soil and enrich it with nutrients.

Some cities and counties may also have composting programs that can pickup pumpkins from your house or offer a drop-off location.

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Are pumpkins harmful to pets?

Luckily for you and your pets, pumpkins are a perfectly safe and nutritious option for both cats and dogs.

According to the Animal Humane Society, the high fiber content in pumpkins are helpful for combatting diarrhea and constipation, and its low sodium and calorie content makes it a good choice for weight management. Pumpkin also contains beta-carotene, potassium and vitamins A and C, which can support healthy eyes, skin and coat in your pets.

If you choose to give pumpkin to your pet, you can make a pumpkin puree or roast the pumpkin, but avoid feeding your pets the stem, leaves, skin or raw seeds.

The Animal Humane Society recommends consulting with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's diet.

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Can you leave pumpkins for wild animals?

Similarly to pets, leftover pumpkins can be a great source of food for wild animals, like birds and squirrels. One way, suggested by the National Wildlife Federation, is to turn those pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns into a bird feeder.

If the pumpkin is mostly still fresh, cut it into half horizontally and hollow out the top and bottom. Make holes in both halves to string rope or twine through, fill it with seed and hang it from a tree limb.

Toasted pumpkin seeds can also be put out or added to your DIY feeder as a snack for birds.

If there are other animals around, like deer and foxes, you can cut up the pumpkin into small pieces and scatter them outside, but be wary of animals like bears and rats that may also be attracted to the food.