The Great Pumpkin is Recyclable, Charlie Brown!

SEATTLE-- Scary, but true! Pumpkins and other autumn fruits and vegetables can be placed in Seattle’s yard and food waste cart.

It’s no trick, just an environmental treat! In addition to leaves, grass and other yard waste, leftovers such as pumpkin pie, caramel apples, pasta, bread, paper napkins and pizza boxes can now go in Seattle’s 96-gallon yard and food waste cart, where they will be collected and turned into compost for local parks and gardens. In 2005, Seattle residents diverted more than 6,000 tons of food waste from the landfill.

For guidelines of other items that can be placed in Seattle’s yard and food waste cart, please visit Seattle Public Utilities Acceptable Yard and Food Waste website.

With more and more Seattle homeowners recycling and adding kitchen scraps to their yard waste, many people are discovering that their standard garbage can is larger than they need. Seattle Public Utilities offers a variety of garbage can sizes, ranging from 96 gallons/180 lbs at $49.05 per month, to 12 gallons/20 lbs for just $10.20 per month. Seattle Public Utilities customers can visit our Change Your Garbage Can Size website or call (206) 684-3000 to change their garbage can size.

In addition to providing solid waste services in Seattle, SPU provides more than 1.3 million customers in the metropolitan area with a reliable water supply and provides essential sewer, drainage and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.