Westport, CT -- Grab those rotting Halloween pumpkins and come to the Westport Farmers’ Market for the Great Pumpkin Toss, a free community composting event. In its fifth year, Action Waste Solutions will collect pumpkins at the Great Pumpkin Toss which is a terrific way to fight Halloween food waste while having some fun.

“Each year 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins in the U.S. are wasted,” said Nicola LaRiccia, cofounder of Action Waste Solutions. “What an easy way to reduce that waste by turning it into usable compost.”

Action Waste Solutions will be accepting all pumpkins and gourds in their natural state at the market; squishy and rotted pumpkins are welcome, but decorated or painted pumpkins cannot be composted. Participants are invited to “toss” their pumpkin in the bin or just drop and go.

“We understand the importance of diverting waste from our waste stream. We also understand that education is key as is community involvement. And we know making things fun way is imperative to bringing our community together through sustainability,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, executive director. “Throughout the year we support the efforts of composting to recycle and reuse food that would otherwise be trashed. Last year we diverted one ton of pumpkin waste from the landfill through the Great Pumpkin Toss! Let’s beat that record this year on November 9th.”

Date and Time: Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 10 am - 2 pm

Location: 50 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.

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