Over 46% of Americans carve jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween each year. But what happens to the pumpkins after Halloween when they start to droop and get soft? We don’t want them all to end up in landfills, where they release methane gas that contributes to climate change. So, what are some other options for disposing of our used pumpkins? If you carved your pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns, you could leave them out for wildlife or livestock to eat if they are free of rot, candle wax, bleach, and paint. Many wild animals such as deer, birds, squirrels, and opossums will eat pumpkin. If you have a farm or know someone with a farm, give the pumpkins to the cows, pigs, goats, and/or sheep to enjoy! You can also compost them, and if you don’t compost, you can bury them somewhere in your yard or garden and the microbes and other critters in the ground will turn it into rich soil. If you left your pumpkins clean and whole, make sure they are not spoiled, and you can eat them with your family! You can cut the pumpkin into chunks and roast it on the grill or puree it to use in baking or soups. Pumpkin can be a healthy treat for your cats and dogs in small amounts as well! Separate the seeds from the guts and they can be roasted and eaten or planted for your own pumpkins next year!