BROOKLINE — The Brookline Department of Public Works (DPW) is encouraging community members to “Go Green After Halloween” by participating in its second annual Pumpkin Toss and Costume Drive.
The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 1:30-6:30 p.m. in the West Centre Street Parking Lot, during the Brookline Farmers’ Market.
Residents are encouraged to bring their pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns, then test their aim by tossing these unwanted decorations into a compost carnival truck. Please note that pumpkins must be free of non-biodegradable materials, such as paint, candles/wax, and glitter to be composted.
More than 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away in the U.S. each fall. Composting these items reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps build healthy soil.
Residents participating in the Town’s Food Waste Drop-Off Pilot Program are strongly encouraged to dispose of their pumpkins at this event rather than using the drop-off bins, to minimize possible overflow.
The DPW also will accept donations of gently used costumes of all sizes to both reduce textile waste and provide costumes to community members next Halloween. All costumes will be donated to Lincoln School and distributed during its Pumpkinfest event in October 2025. Residents are asked to label all costumes with a description and size before donation.
Go Green After Halloween is being held in partnership with Black Earth Compost. Black Earth Compost offers curbside composting services to Brookline residents looking to reduce their household waste. To learn more about composting opportunities in Brookline, please visit www.brooklinema.gov/compost.
“The Department of Public Works is thrilled to offer its second annual ‘Go Green After Halloween’ event! At last year’s event, we were able to divert approximately one ton of pumpkins from landfill/incineration. This is a fun opportunity for Brookline residents to dispose of their Halloween-related waste the right way,” said Katie Weatherseed, DPW Zero Waste Program Manager.
The West Centre Street Parking Lot is accessible from the Coolidge Corner MBTA station, as well as the Shailer Street and Harvard Street stop on the Route 66 bus.
Those with questions regarding the event should contact DPW’s Highway and Sanitation Division at zerowaste@brooklinema.gov.
Brookline DPW staff stand in front of the compost carnival truck at last year’s Go Green for Halloween event. (Photo courtesy Brookline Department of Public Works) 
A child tests their aim at throwing a pumpkin into the compost carnival truck at last year’s Go Green for Halloween event. (Photo courtesy Brookline Department of Public Works)