Juneau residents can compost pumpkins free at Juneau Composts through Nov. 30

Juneau residents can drop off pumpkins for free composting at Juneau Composts, 2300 Anka Street, through Monday, Nov. 30. The drop-off opened Friday and is open around the clock, the City and Borough of Juneau announced.

Pumpkins must be free of all decorations, including paint and candles.

This is the sixth year RecycleWorks, the city's waste diversion program, and Juneau Composts have offered the service.

It comes as the city plans for what happens to its trash. The privately owned Capitol Disposal Landfill is expected to fill up and close within 10 years, according to the city's solid waste page. A May 2024 study for the city found that 32% of Juneau's waste is compostable.

The city is planning a commercial-scale composting facility for residents and businesses, including large grocery stores and restaurants. When the Environmental Protection Agency issued a finding of no significant impact in February 2024 for a $2.5 million federal grant for the project, the site was the former Lemon Creek gravel pit at 2300 Anka Street, the same address as Juneau Composts. The facility is meant to divert about 1,500 tons of organic material a year and extend the landfill's life.