Decorate now, recycle later.
Whether picking out pumpkins from a field or carving fun faces into them with friends, pumpkins show everyone it’s the fall season. What happens when it’s time to say goodbye as they melt on the porch?

Green up Halloween by recycling pumpkins into compost at a free, outdoor Pumpkin Smash offered from 10 a.m. to Noon on Nov. 8 at Sauk Valley Community College (at the baseball field).

Smash Instead of Trash!
When jack o’lanterns are past their prime, many end up in the trash. Bring your pumpkins—that are free of candles, stickers, glitter, yarn and any other synthetic decoration—to this fun, community event for all ages! We’ll divert pumpkins from the landfill, where they can contribute to producing the greenhouse gas methane. Instead, participants will SMASH them with different tools and they will become compost for the pumpkin field.

Smash stations will include a trebuchet, mallets, sling shots, pinata style and more! Then, when your pumpkin is pulverized, take a rest by playing pumpkin-themed games and enjoying other family-friendly activities provided by 4-H, Extension Master Gardeners, and other community organizations.

Park in the main Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) parking lot and take the “people mover” to the field for a smashing good time! Please do not park along the entrance road.

This event will happen rain or shine. No cost or registration is required to attend. For questions, contact Bruce J. Black at [email protected], 815-632-3611.

Find the full list of Extension Pumpkin Smash events happening across the state in early November at go.illinois.edu/PumpkinSmash.

About Pumpkin Smash
Pumpkins are an organic waste that produces the potent greenhouse gas methane as they decompose without oxygen in landfills. These decaying pumpkins also leach water that filters through the trash piles and pollutes nearby waterways.

This project is done in collaboration with SCARCE, an Illinois environmental non-profit that started Pumpkin Smashes in 2014. Since then, the efforts have reduced the discharge of greenhouse gases by eliminating over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions while also diverting over 300,000 gallons of water from entering landfills. Find a full map of Pumpkin Smashes on their website at SCARCE.org/Pumpkins.

Pumpkin Smash Instructions
Find a smash event site near you by checking out the calendar at go.illinois.edu/PumpkinSmash or SCARCE.org/Pumpkins.
Collect pumpkins from the home, neighborhood, school, or workplace.
Remove candles, ribbons, paint, and any other non-organic materials.
Drop off pumpkins at a smash site on the date and time of the specific event. Each site may vary in the methods of smashing or depositing pumpkins available.
The pumpkins are transported to a composting facility following the event. Those who cannot attend a smash event may still be able to compost through their local trash provider, private service, or by starting a compost pile. Properly composted pumpkins do not produce methane and contribute to soil health. Learn how to get started composting at extension.illinois.edu/compost.