Summit County pumpkin composting program returns for 2026
PARK CITY, Utah — Summit County residents can keep their Halloween jack-o-lanterns out of the landfill by dropping them off at designated locations across the county from Oct. 31 through Nov. 13.
The annual pumpkin composting program accepts pumpkins from students, families, and other community members at local schools, libraries, the Park City Visitor Information Center, and Recycle Utah, among other sites.
The participating locations this year are:
- Jeremy Ranch Elementary School
- Parley’s Park Elementary School
- Trailside Elementary School
- McPolin Elementary School
- Ecker Hill Middle School
- Park City High School
- Park City Day School
- Little Miners Montessori School
- Park City Library
- Summit County Library – Kamas Valley Branch
- Park City Visitor Information Center
- Park City Heights Clubhouse
- Recycle Utah
The Park City MARC, will also host its annual Pumpkin Smash on Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 2 p.m. All pumpkins remaining after the event will be composted.
Since 2023, the community has diverted nearly 90,000 pounds of pumpkins from the landfill because of this program. Last fall alone, they collected 20,720 pounds of pumpkins at Park City School District schools.
The effort is funded through Park City Community Foundation’s Zero Food Waste initiative, which aims to divert all food waste from the Summit County landfill by 2030. Food waste accounts for nearly half of the landfill’s airspace, according to the foundation.
Residents can find additional information about the program and its collection sites on the Park City Community Foundation website.
2266 E Garfield Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
