Westport, Conn.— Grab those rotting Halloween pumpkins and head to the Westport Farmers’ Market November 9 from 10am-2pm for the 5th Annual Great Pumpkin Toss, a free community composting event. Action Waste Solutions will be collecting unpainted pumpkins to use as compost -- 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.”
For more information, visit www.westportfarmersmarket.com
WFM receives philanthropic support from: Abramson & Company LLC; Aitoro Appliance; Alma Mexican Food; BadAss Bagels; Boxcar Cantina; Cohen and Wolf; Dharma Massage Therapy; Doc’s Maple; Don Memo; The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center; Gault Family Companies; Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center; Ideal Fish; Ivy Gourmet Granola; Meredith Cohen Realty; Nutty Bunny Vegan Ice Cream; Pause + Purpose; Terrain Café; Wave Hill Breads; Wells Hill Farm; and Zion Physical Therapy.