Photo credit: Dakota County
Published: October 26th 2026.
DAKOTA COUNTY, MN - Residents across Dakota County will have several opportunities to dispose of their Halloween pumpkins in an environmentally friendly way through free pumpkin composting collection events beginning Saturday, October 31st.
The collection events, hosted at various locations throughout the county, allow residents to drop off jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins and gourds rather than sending them to landfills.
All collected pumpkins will be composted.
Residents can bring their pumpkins to designated collection dumpsters at participating locations at no cost. However, painted pumpkins, wax and candles will not be accepted.
2026 Pumpkin Composting Collection Locations
October 31 – November 1
Eagan: Eagan Community Center, southwest parking lot, 1501 Central Parkway.
November 1–8
Apple Valley: Apple Valley Maintenance Facility, 6442 140th Street West.
Burnsville: Burnsville Market Garden, 260 Civic Center Parkway.
Lakeville: King Park, 18350 Dodd Boulevard West.
November 6–9
Inver Grove Heights: Veterans Memorial Community Center, 8055 Barbara Avenue.
November 7–8
Hastings: Dakota County Transportation Shop, 900 County Road 47.
Farmington: Farmington Maintenance Facility, 19500 Municipal Drive.
Mendota Heights: Mendakota Park, 2111 Dodd Road.
South St. Paul: Wakota Federal Credit Union, 1151 Southview Boulevard.
Rosemount: Central Parking Lot, 2874 145th Street West.
West St. Paul: West St. Paul Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Avenue.
Keeping Pumpkins Out of Landfills
Composting pumpkins helps reduce organic waste sent to landfills while allowing the material to break down into compost that can benefit soil.
Residents are encouraged to remove candles, wax and other decorations before dropping off their pumpkins.
Collection dates vary by location, with the final events concluding Monday, November 9.
Residents should look for the marked composting dumpsters at participating collection sites.