DARTMOUTH, Mass. – October 22, 2026 – This Halloween, Dartmouth residents have several easy, eco-friendly ways to keep pumpkins and cornstalks out of the trash, including curbside yard waste collection, drop-off at the Water Pollution Control Facility, or backyard composting.
“Composting pumpkins and cornstalks is a simple step residents can take to reduce landfill waste and return valuable nutrients to the soil,” said Tim Barber, Director of Public Works. “Whether you compost at home or use the Town’s collection and drop-off options, every effort helps support a more sustainable community.”
Set Out for Curbside Yard Waste Collection
The Town of Dartmouth will collect unpainted pumpkins and cornstalks along with grass, leaves, and small twigs from SMART (Save Money and Reduce Trash) Program customers on scheduled yard waste collection days.
The remaining 2026 collection dates are:
- Monday and Tuesday solid waste routes: Friday, October 30, and Friday, November 20
- Wednesday and Thursday solid waste routes: Friday, October 23, Friday, November 6, and Friday, December 4
Collection begins at 7 a.m. Pumpkins, cornstalks, grass, leaves, and twigs (not exceeding 1/4 inch in diameter) must be placed in paper yard waste bags or barrels. Materials placed loose at the curb will not be collected. Please do not make bags or barrels too heavy.
The yard waste collected from Dartmouth residents is delivered to the Crapo Hill Landfill, where it is composted. To help ensure a quality compost product, residents must remove all decorations and other non-compostable materials from pumpkins and cornstalks before placing them out for collection. This includes candles, lights, stickers, plastic decorations, wire, rope, string, and twine. Painted pumpkins or pumpkins decorated with glitter or other non-compostable coatings should be disposed of with regular household trash.
Drop Off at the Water Pollution Control Facility
Residents may also bring unpainted pumpkins and cornstalks to the leaf drop-off area at the Water Pollution Control Facility, located at 759 Russells Mills Road. Please remove all decorations and non-compostable materials before dropping off these items.
A transfer station permit is required and is free for SMART customers.
Hours for the yard waste drop-off area are:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Dartmouth residents who are not SMART customers may obtain a day pass ($10) or annual permit ($50) at the DPW Office at 759 Russells Mills Road. Proof of residency is required.
Compost in a Backyard Bin
Pumpkins and cornstalks also make excellent compost and can be added to backyard compost bins along with fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, grass, leaves, and small twigs.
Dartmouth residents may purchase backyard compost bins year-round at the Crapo Hill Landfill scale house, 300 Samuel Barnet Blvd., New Bedford:
- Monday through Friday: 7:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
The Earth Machine and New Age Composter are available for $25 each. Cash, check, or money order only. No credit or debit cards.
For more information about backyard composting, visit: https://gnbrrmdistrict.org/food-waste-composting/backyard-composting/.
For questions about curbside yard waste collection or the yard waste drop-off area, contact the Dartmouth Department of Public Works at (508) 999-0740.
For information about composting, recycling, or waste reduction, contact the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org, by phone at (508) 979-1493, or by text at (774) 503-0254.