One of my family's favorite post-Halloween traditions is taking our jack o' lanterns to the local Pumpkin Smash hosted by SCARCE to be safely recycled back into nature.
By bringing your pumpkin to be composted, it avoids landfill greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organics (currently, landfills are the 3rd largest producers of methane in the U.S.!), and it produces a useful, nutrient-dense soil amendment, and pumpkins are 90% water which is great for our soil!
Since 2014, SCARCE has helped compost over 1012.40 tons of pumpkins!!
Looking for a local spot to bring your pumpkins on November 4th? Here are some local places that are hosting a Pumpkin Smash collection drive. Some locations have additional events, other recycling collection, or fun activities, so check with each location! Make sure to remove any decorations or embellishments first!
Wheaton Commuter Parking Lot #9
Liberty & Carlton Streets Wheaton Illinois 60187
Sponsored By: Wheaton Environmental Improvement & SCARCE
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9am-12pm
Glen Ellyn – Village Green Community Garden Plots
130 S. Lambert Road Glen Ellyn Illinois 60137
Sponsored By: Glen Ellyn Park District
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9AM - 11AM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
393 N Main St Glen Ellyn Illinois 60137
Sponsored By: St. Mark's Glen Ellyn, Hillside Parking Lot
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9am-12pm
New Hope United Methodist Church
643 E Washington St. West Chicago IL 60185
Sponsored By: New Hope United Methodist Church
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9am to 1pm
SCARCE
800 South Rohlwing Road, Unit D Addison Illinois 60101
Sponsored By: SCARCE
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9am-12pm
Our Savior Lutheran Church
1244 W. Army Trail Road Carol Stream Illinois 60188
Sponsored By: Our Savior Lutheran Church Community Garden
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9am-12pm
Lombard Common
433 E St. Charles Road Lombard Illinois 60148
Sponsored By: Lombard Junior Women's Club, Lombard Park District, Kiwanis Club
Hours: Sat, Nov 4th 9am-12pm
You can find the complete list of Pumpkin Smash locations in Illinois by clicking HERE.
