Every November, the pumpkins pile up in the trash. 

This year, in an effort to keep spooky gourds out of the region’s landfills, Richmond is urging residents to make a different choice: Drop off your pumpkin at one of two locations in the city, and it will be either composted or sent to a pig farm. 

“We are excited to provide Richmond residents with an easy and meaningful way to reduce waste,” said Torrence Robinson, a deputy director with the city’s Department of Public Works in a statement announcing the new program. “Small actions, such as properly recycling or composting pumpkins, can make a positive difference for our environment and help build a sustainable community.”

From Nov. 1 through Nov. 30, city residents can drop off their pumpkins at designated pumpkin collection points at the recycling centers at 1710 Robin Hood Rd. and 7400 Forest Hill Ave. 

From there, the pumpkins will follow one of two routes. 

Those put in the purple carts will be composted by Central Virginia Waste Management, which partners with Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield on a broader regional composting program. Those pumpkins will head to an industrial composting facility near Waverly. 

“There's typically an influx of pumpkins to the composting sites around mid to late November as people change out their holiday decor,” said Julie Buchanan, a spokesperson for CVWMA. “We've worked with our contractor, NOPE Compost Co., to arrange some extra pickups during this time, so pumpkins don't get out of hand.” 

Extra pumpkins “will be recycled and used at a pig farm,” said Paige Hairston, a spokesperson for DPW. 

“This approach creates a true circular economy returning organic materials to productive use,” she told The Richmonder.

Other sites are available in the following areas:

• Hanover County: Pumpkins and gourds can be dropped off at the Mechanicsville, Montpelier and Courthouse convenience centers.

Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org