Pumpkins may be orange but Port Coquitlam residents should not be discouraged from throwing them away in their green waste bin after Halloween.
The city is encouraging residents in more than 11,000 single-family and multi-family homes to place their jack-o'-lanterns with their food scraps and yard trimmings to avoid sending it to the landfill.
PoCo engineering staff estimate that if even a quarter of the homes put their pumpkins in the green waste bin, it would divert more than 25,000 pounds of material from the landfill, saving the city and taxpayers costly tipping fees.
The city also suggests several other things people can do with their pumpkins after Oct. 31.
Like squash, a pumpkin is edible and tasty and the seeds can be roasted. They can also be chopped into pieces and placed in the backyard compost or buried in the garden (www.portcoquitlam.ca/composting).
But having an environmentally friendly Halloween extends beyond composting a pumpkin. Residents are encouraged to re-use and recycle as much as possible when making costumes and putting out decorations.
Children can also be supplied with reusable bags for collecting candy and treats that are given out to visitors should have a minimum of packaging.
For more information about Port Coquitlam's green cart program go to www.portcoquitlam.ca/greencart.
