| HOUSTON, Oct. 22, 2026 — Houston Public Works’ Solid Waste Management Division is partnering with Council Member Sallie Alcorn to bring back the annual Pumpkin Compost Drop-Off Program, giving residents a convenient way to keep pumpkins out of landfills and support local composting efforts following Halloween.
From Oct. 24 through Nov. 28, 2026, residents can drop off used jack-o’-lanterns, whole pumpkins, seeds and pumpkin pulp at the following locations Tuesday through Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Before dropping off pumpkins, residents must remove all candles, wax, stickers, paint, glitter, tape, plastic and other decorations. Pumpkins should be dropped off loose, not in bags or boxes. The program is for residential use only and commercial loads will not be accepted.
“This year marks the sixth anniversary of Houston’s annual pumpkin composting program, which has diverted more than 63,000 pounds of organic material from our landfills since 2022,” said Council Member Sallie Alcorn, At-Large Position 5. “Reducing the amount of trash we send to landfills helps preserve capacity. By turning organic waste into a useful resource, this program helps us build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Houston.”
“Pumpkin composting is a simple seasonal habit that makes a big difference,” said Randy Macchi, Director of Houston Public Works. “By bringing your pumpkins to one of our drop-off locations, residents can help turn a seasonal item that might otherwise become waste into a resource that benefits our community. We appreciate the residents who participated last year and encourage even more Houstonians to take part this year.”
Learn more about our seasonal Pumpkin Composting Program and find your nearest drop-off site at the City of Houston Pumpkin Compost Drop-Off program page.
Stay connected in HTX Collects or at HoustonSolidWaste.org for collection schedules, holiday updates and solid waste service alerts. For more information about Houston Public Works, visit HoustonPublicWorks.org. |
