Instead of taking your jack-o-lanterns out with the trash, take them to one of the collection bins located at County Fair Plaza on Dawson Road, the Lakehead Labour Centre on Fort William Road or the Westfort Playfield off Neebing Avenue. The collection bins will be in place from November 1 – 12; other compostable decorations, such as cornstalks and straw, can be placed in the bins. The pumpkins will be composted at the city’s Solid Waste & Recycling Facility (tip: compost is made available to the public each spring, call 625-2195 for details).
The annual Great Pumpkin Compost Collection is coordinated by EcoSuperior, the City of Thunder Bay Infrastructure & Operations Department and ReCool Canada. Since 1995, the project has diverted over 276 tonnes of pumpkins from the landfill to the municipal composting site. This year’s collection is sponsored by ReCool Canada and Print Pros Plus—ReCool supplies the collection bins, Print Pros provides posters and signage, and the City’s Solid Waste and Recycling Facility waives the tipping fees.
The Metropolitan Moose’s Great Pumpkin, photo by D. McChristie
