Chicago's Pumpkin Smash Saturday
NOTE: This article has been archived and may not be up to date.
Pumpkin Smash Events are returning, Saturday Nov. 9, 2024!
Following last year's smashing success, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation is once again partnering with community-based organizations and Illinois Extension to support Pumpkin Smash events across the city! Last year, over 52,000 pounds of pumpkins were diverted from the landfill through Chicago Pumpkin Smash events!
Don't Trash 'em, Smash 'em!
Pumpkin Smashes are family and earth-friendly events that support making compost out of Halloween pumpkins that would otherwise be rotting in a landfill.
Composting pumpkins saves landfill space and it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In landfills, rotting food like pumpkins and other organic matter produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Landfills are our nation's 3rd largest producer of methane, following fossil fuels and and livestock. (source: EPA)
Fun fact: Illinois is the nation's pumpkin capital, producing more pounds of pumpkins than the next five states combined.
All pumpkins from the Pumpkin Smash Events are turned into compost. Compost is a supreme, natural soil fortifier used by farmers and gardeners to grow healthier plants.
How To Participate
Gather your pumpkins and remove all decorations, candles, and paint before you arrive.
Visit one of the 10 neighborhood events (listed below) on Saturday, November 9th to compost your pumpkins... and smash them if you dare. MUAHHAHAHAHA!
It's not required to smash your pumpkin at the event, but you may want to give it a go. Taking out frustrations on a guiltless gourd is surprisingly satisfying.
Pumpkin Smash 2023 Chicago Events
Bring your pumpkins to any of these nine locations on Saturday, November 9th, 10 am - 2 pm!
Plant Chicago - 4459 S Marshfield Ave
Chicago Fire Station 70 - 6040 N Clark St
Morton School of Excellence - 431 N Troy St
Disney II Magnet School - 3815 N Kedvale Ave
Lake View High School - 4015 N Ashland Ave
Linné Elementary School - 3221 N Sacramento Ave
Comer Crops Youth Farm - 7230 S South Chicago Ave
Carl Von Linné Elementary School - 3221 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences - 3857 W 111th St
If you subscribe to a compost pick-up service, check with your provider for their pumpkin composting policies, or just bring them to a Pumpkin Smash event.
Visit SCARCE for more Pumpkin Smash events outside of Chicago.
