WESTPORT — Even if that jack o’ lantern was “gourd-geous” for Halloween, sooner or later its eyes will close, its smile will cave in and its teeth will fall out.

The Westport Farmers Market can help put that monstrous mess out of its misery with its annual “Great Pumpkin Toss” disposal program.

On Nov. 7, pumpkins and gourds in their natural state — rotting or squishy are fine, but not painted or decorated since they cannot be composted — can be tossed, or just dropped off, in collection bins set out at the market by Action Waste Solutions. 

The collection will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, during the regular farmers market session in the Imperial Avenue lot. There is no charge.

“Each year 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins in the U.S. are wasted,” Nicola LaRiccia, co-founder of Action Waste Solutions, said in a statement issued by the market. “What an easy way to reduce that waste by turning it into usable compost.”

Lori Cochran-Dougall, market executive director, added, “Throughout the year we support the efforts of composting to recycle and re-use food that would otherwise be trashed. Last year we diverted one tons of pumpkin waste from the landfill through the Great Pumpkin Toss.”