Pumpkin Composting 101: If It Grows, It Goes

Recycle Your Organic Waste This Fall Season!

Keeping Halloween pumpkins out of the trash is easy: Compost them, use them as animal feed or simply place them in your curbside green bin.

This fall season, consider recycling or composting organic waste, including Halloween pumpkins.

According to the County’s Department of Public Works ,40% of what we discard in landfills is organic waste. When organic waste decomposes in a landfill, methane is produced, a potent greenhouse gas and climate pollutant.  

Alternatively, when we compost pumpkins and other organic waste, the material is transformed into a valuable soil amendment. Composting recycles nutrients back into the soil, improves water retention, lessening the need for irrigation, and helps to grow healthier food. It also saves valuable space in our local landfills.

To help unincorporated residents properly recycle organic waste and identify what belongs in the green bin, the County reminds you: If it grows, it goes!

For Halloween, remember all parts of a pumpkin can be composted or placed in your curbside organic waste bin including the seeds, guts, stem, and the pumpkin itself. It’s important that all candles, lights, and decorations are removed first. 

Painted pumpkins or those decorated with glitter should not be composted or placed in the green bin. Soiled Halloween party napkins as well as yard trimmings and nonhazardous wood waste can also be composted or placed in your curbside organic waste bin. 

There are five best practice steps for proper organic waste recycling in your home:

  1. Choose a container with a closeable lid. This prevents flies and insects from entering the container and keeps your home clean.
  2. Know what to throw. Residents can learn more about organic waste on the County’s website. Remember, if it grows, it goes! Items that do not belong in the green organic waste bin include plastic bags, dirt, soil, rocks, concrete, pet waste or kitty litter, diapers, clothing, liquids, glass, metal, and plastics.
  3. Collect your scraps and food-soiled paper.
  4. Wrapping your scraps in paper will help with any potential odors or pest issues (DO NOT place them in plastic or compostable plastic bags).
  5. Store your container in a convenient location. Having a convenient location for your container makes recycling organic waste easier. 
  6. Try storing your container under the sink, on the counter, or in the refrigerator or freezer. Tip: Add a dash of baking soda to your bin to help soak up extra moisture and combat odors.
  7. Transport your food scraps container to the curbside organics bin.
  8. Adding food scraps to your organic waste bin the night before collection is preferable. Tip: Use shredded paper to help absorb any moisture in the cart.

Residents can find recycling guides on the County’s website and learn more about sustainable tips at WasteFreeSD.org. 

How to Properly Dispose of Batteries in San Diego: HHW 101

Batteries Do Not Belong in Curbside Bins

Batteries and products that contain batteries cannot be disposed of in trash or recycling bins. Batteries that enter the waste stream pose a significant safety threat because they are responsible for rising occurrences of fires and environmental contamination. 

Batteries are considered as hazardous waste and/or household hazardous waste under the category of universal wastes in California because of the materials they are made from. Acids, lead, nickel, lithium and mercury found in batteries are dangerous and toxic. When batteries are subjected to the heat, pressure, and machinery of a garbage or recycling truck or become punctured or pierced by waste sorting machinery, they can spark and ignite a fire. 

Additionally, the dangerous and toxic components of batteries flow into the environment when not disposed of properly. This not only contaminates the soil and water systems, but have the potential to affect our health and well-being through accumulation in wildlife and the food we eat.

 

Types of Batteries

AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, rechargeable batteries, single batteries, car batteries, motorcycle batteries, scooter batteries, e-cigarette and vape batteries.

 

Recycling Batteries

Battery Recycling is becoming increasingly more safe, convenient and accessible. 

Here’s where you can recycle batteries in San Diego: 

  • Libraries: 14 county libraries in San Diego accept standard alkaline batteries, drop them off in the drop-off bin inside
  • O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Store: Most O’Reilly’s recycle household batteries as well as lead acid automotive batteries. Remember to call before you go to make sure your local O’Reilly’s are accepting batteries for recycling
  • Household Hazardous Waste Facilities: Hazardous waste facilities accept all types of batteries. Always bring damaged batteries to HHW facilities. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find out which facility you can go to
  • Cirba Solutions: An easy and convenient way to dispose of all types of batteries (excluding automotive batteries) – purchase a box, fill the box, ship the box. The company then uses a diverse array of technologies to ensure each battery component is recovered in the most environmentally sound way possible.

Visit WasteFreeSD.org to check out more locations for battery disposal and recycling.

 

Battery Storage

  • Store household batteries in their original packaging so they are out of contact with other batteries. 
  • Make sure the batteries are stored with all the positive ends facing the same direction. 
  • Avoid storing batteries with metal objects because contact can cause batteries to short circuit and lead to leakage. 
  • Do not mix damaged batteries with other batteries. This again could result in short circuiting and cause fires or explosions. 
  • If batteries are leaking, handle them with care by wearing gloves, then place them in a clear plastic bag to be transported to your local hazardous waste collection facility. 
  • For extra safety, place the bag in non-flammable material such as sand or cat litter.