Clay County is about to start the annual pumpkin composting program, Take Jack Back!
To make this program accessible to all residents, composting bins will be located across Clay County at your local recycling drop sites on November 1. Clay County residents will be able to drop off their pumpkins until November 14.
Pumpkin collection bins will be at the following Moorhead locations:
- Public Works Facility (700 15 Ave N)
- SouthSide Regional Park Soccer Field Parking Lot (23 St S and 40 Ave)
- Resource Recovery Center (3322 15 Ave N)
- Recycling Site (418 Elm St S)
- Oakport Compost Site (809 58 Ave N)
Please remove candles, artificial lighting, or any other decorations that are in or attached to the pumpkin. This includes stickers, ribbons, and candle wax. Pumpkins that have glitter or paint on them cannot be composted. You can cut away sections of the pumpkin that are covered in these items and discard them in the trash. Things like paint, candles, and stickers contain harmful chemicals and do not break down during the composting process. They can contaminate the soil and cause many problems for the farmers and microorganisms in the soil.
Composted pumpkins are donated to Doubting Thomas Farms, a fifth-generation organic farm in Moorhead run by Noreen Thomas, her family and several volunteers and interns. Clay County has composted over 270,000 pounds (or 135 tons) at Doubting Thomas Farms through the Take Jack Back program. Pumpkins are very high in nitrogen which helps in the growth and production of oats on their farm. Doubting Thomas farms distribute their organic oats in our community at local restaurants and grocery stores. Clay County thanks you for participating in our Take Jack Back program.
Did you know that more than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins end up in landfills across America every year? They take up unnecessary space in our landfills. They also should not be added to regular compost piles with grass clippings and leaves. Pumpkins are considered food waste and need to be disposed of properly.
