MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids Opens Pumpkin Recycling Drop-Offs as Halloween Weekend Begins

Coon Rapids residents can recycle Halloween pumpkins at three local drop-off locations, with the city reminding households to remove decorations, candles and paint.

COON RAPIDS, MN (October 31, 2026).

Coon Rapids is encouraging residents to recycle their Halloween pumpkins rather than place them in household trash, with three local drop-off locations available for the seasonal collection.

The city announced the recycling opportunity Friday, October 30, as residents prepared for Halloween celebrations and the cleanup that follows.

Pumpkins may be placed in the organics recycling bin outside the fenced area of the Coon Rapids Recycling Center. The city says the bin is accessible at any time, allowing residents to drop off pumpkins without being limited to the center's regular operating hours.

Additional organics recycling bins are available in the parking lots of the Sand Creek Athletic Complex and the Coon Rapids Ice Center.

Residents are asked to remove candles, wax, paint and decorations before depositing pumpkins.

The requirement helps prevent contamination of the organics recycling stream. Materials such as plastic decorations, metal attachments and candle remnants do not belong in the same collection as food and other accepted organic material.

Pumpkin recycling provides an alternative to disposing of seasonal decorations through conventional household waste collection.

Organic materials can be processed through appropriate recycling systems rather than being sent to landfills, where decomposition may generate methane under oxygen-limited conditions.

The seasonal collection also provides an opportunity for households to become more familiar with the city's organics recycling services.

For families who carve or decorate pumpkins, the process is relatively straightforward. Once Halloween activities have concluded, decorations and other nonorganic materials should be removed before the pumpkins are transported to one of the designated locations.

Residents should avoid assuming that painted or heavily decorated pumpkins are acceptable. The city's instructions specifically require paint and decorations to be removed.

The program is one of several waste reduction services offered through Coon Rapids' recycling operations.

Residents seeking information about additional accepted materials, regular recycling center hours or other organics programs can consult the city's official website.

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