Anchorage Collects Pumpkins to Keep Moose Safe
Anchorage households can drop off leftover Halloween pumpkins at the Central Transfer Station through Friday to keep them away from moose.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Organic Food
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Anchorage Solid Waste Services has been collecting pumpkin donations at the Central Transfer Station on East 56th Avenue since Monday, with donations accepted through Friday at 4:30 p.m. Donated pumpkins will go to farmers in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to feed livestock, so Anchorage residents with leftover Halloween pumpkins can drop them off instead of discarding them.
Why it matters
Post-Halloween pumpkins can be a hazard in Alaska because they can be fatal to moose, so the donation program offers a route for leftover pumpkins to be used as livestock feed rather than left where wildlife can reach them. The collection gives Anchorage households a practical alternative to disposal at a time when pumpkins are abundant.
This is an operational announcement from Anchorage Solid Waste Services rather than a research study, and the source provides no collection totals or quantified outcomes. The program's stated rationale rests on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's recommendation that pumpkins be brought inside or disposed of after Halloween because they can be fatal to moose.
The players
Anchorage Solid Waste Services
The municipal agency that runs solid waste collection and the Central Transfer Station in Anchorage, and that is organizing the pumpkin donation drive.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
The state agency that manages Alaska's fish and wildlife, and that recommends bringing pumpkins inside or disposing of them after Halloween to protect moose.
The details
Pumpkins are dropped off in the pink bin at the Central Transfer Station, and any leftover stickers, LED lights, candles, or aluminum foil must be removed before donation. Donated pumpkins are used to feed livestock in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Moose cannot process pumpkin nutrients well, and eating pumpkins can cause bloat, which can lead to death.
Timeline
Pumpkin donation collection at the Central Transfer Station began Monday, November 2, 2026.
Donations are accepted through Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Health Landscape
Wildlife-related food hazards are a recurring concern in Alaska, where the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has long advised residents to avoid leaving attractants that draw moose into residential areas. Redirecting leftover pumpkins toward livestock feed reflects a shift from simply warning residents to offering a practical disposal pathway.
If you have leftover pumpkins after Halloween, drop them off at the Central Transfer Station's pink bin by Friday at 4:30 p.m. after removing stickers, lights, candles, and foil, rather than leaving them outdoors where moose may eat them. Keeping pumpkins out of reach of wildlife also helps avoid a potentially fatal hazard for moose.
The takeaway
Pumpkins that are left outside after Halloween can be fatal to moose, so a simple step like donating them keeps both livestock and wildlife safer. Check whether your household's leftover pumpkins are ready for drop-off before the Friday deadline.
Further reading
For more on how food choices intersect with local sourcing and animal feed, explore our Organic Food coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Alaskasnewssource.
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