Halloween is almost here! As you carve jack-o’-lanterns and decorate your porch, don’t forget to plan for what comes next. After the trick-or-treaters have gone home, your pumpkin can be recycled into something useful—compost.
Pumpkins are 100% compostable and full of nutrients that can be returned to the soil. Composting supports healthy soil, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps grow more food. By planning ahead, you can help Montgomery County recycle more and move closer to Zero Waste.
When you bring your pumpkin to a food scraps recycling drop-off, it’s collected with other compostable items like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. These materials are sent to a commercial composting facility and turned into nutrient-rich compost used in gardens, farms, and landscaping projects.
Before dropping it off:
- Remove all decorations – candles, wax, paint, glitter, etc.
- Use compost-friendly containers – reusable bins or paper bags only (no plastic).
DEP operates three Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Offs at local farmers markets:
- Bethesda Central Farmers Market – Sundays, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (7600 Arlington Road)
- Downtown Silver Spring Market – Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (1 Veterans Plaza)
- Olney Farmers and Artists Market – Sundays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (MD 108 & Prince Philip Drive)
Click here for farmers markets updates and changes.
It's officially Fall and that means the weather is getting cooler, the days are becoming shorter and the leaves are starting to change.
Every Fall, we move our leaves to the curb for collection by the Department of Transportation Leaf Vacuum Program or pay for removal. But, did you know, that leaving the leaves on your property can make your yard healthier and save you money?
Decomposing leaves create free, natural fertilizer that enriches the soil by providing nutrients and carbon. Leaves are critical habitat for butterfly and firefly eggs. Birds and other small wildlife feed on larvae and insects nesting in leaves, while chipmunks, toads and salamanders rest under leaves for warmth and moisture.
Want to learn more about the benefits of leaving leaves in your yard? Click this website.
Keep it Clean, Montgomery is an anti-littering campaign aimed at encouraging residents to take small actions towards creating a cleaner County – by engaging in volunteer initiatives or by simply picking it up!
Litter (noun): trash, such as paper, cans, and bottles, that is left lying in an open or public place.
Littering can seem like a daunting task for an individual to solve on their own. Maybe you don't litter or you don't think it's a problem in your area, however, you probably know of areas in your neighborhood or town where litter is a common sight.
Small changes like putting trash in the proper receptacle or holding on to it instead of releasing it into the environment can make a big difference. Preventing even one piece of litter from entering the environment can have a big impact because litter accumulates over time. One plastic bag can get caught inside your neighborhood's storm drain which can then catch leaves, papers and cans. This eventually can lead to a major blockage which could prevent stormwater and groundwater from draining properly causing flooding in your neighborhood and on surrounding roads.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there are approximately 23,000-75,000 Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) per year in the U.S. SSOs can cause serious property damage, damage water quality and threaten public health.
It’s important to remember that litter doesn’t just impact animals and ecosystems but also human health and our neighborhoods. That's why we are reminding residents to Keep it Clean and put litter in its place – before it builds up!
Interested in learning how you can help keep Montgomery County clean? Check out our website.
Climate change is here and we have to learn to live with more severe storms and flooding. Registering for Alert Montgomery ensures you stay up to date on weather alerts. Sign up for Alert Montgomery here!
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Wednesday, October 8: Solid Waste Advisory Committee (Virtual), 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, October 8: Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee (Virtual), 7-9 p.m.
- Saturday, October 11: Climate Justice Fellows Community Training
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Tuesday, October 14: H2O Summit, 12-4 p.m.
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Monday, October 20: Water Quality Advisory Group (Virtual) 7-8 p.m.
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Food Scraps Recycling Drop-Off at County Farmers Markets
- Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Sundays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Check out our calendar for more details about upcoming events.
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