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The holiday season is here, and that means pumpkins! Illinois is not only one of the top six pumpkin-producing states; in 2023, it remained the frontrunner in pumpkin cultivation, with over 15,400 acres harvested—more than double the acreage of California, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Washington, each of which harvested between 2,800 and 6,500 acres last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. In total, the state harvested 40,000 pounds per acre, resulting in 690 million pounds of pumpkin, primarily varieties that fill pies.
For families that aren’t filling crusts with delicious desserts, many are cutting and carving pumpkins into spooky faces and decorations. However, pumpkins can pose a big problem for a city like Chicago. While being the pumpkin capital is something to be proud of, the issue of food waste is frightening. This week, glowing and painted pumpkins will adorn homes inside and out. But once the trick-or-treaters have come and gone, what happens to all those carved pumpkins?
What’s more Halloween than bringing it back to life? Instead of tossing those ghoulish gourds into the landfill, the Chicago Department of Environment, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Extension, is organizing a fun way to get outside, support our local environment, and return those carved pumpkins to the soil from where they grew at the 2023 Pumpkin Smash.
Every year, millions of pumpkins are discarded after Halloween, significantly contributing to food waste in our local landfills. The good news? Pumpkins are not trash—they’re a great source of nutrients for our soil! Composting your pumpkin not only helps reduce landfill waste but also allows carbon-rich organic matter to return to the earth, creating nutrient-dense compost that rejuvenates our urban gardens, parks, and natural areas. In 2022, the Chicago Pumpkin Smash locations composted more than 18 tons of pumpkins, and in 2023, that number increased to over 26 tons!
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chicagoans can choose from any of the nine locations to smash pumpkins and help protect the planet:
- 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
- George Washington High School - 3535 E 114th St
- 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
But not everything is compostable. All paint, decorations, and candles must be removed before smashing. Then it’s off to the compost heap, where the chunks of pumpkin—squishy and sweet—can give nature a tasty treat.
Dr. Mila Marshall is an environmental professional and journalist with a passion for advancing sustainability in all sectors. Her passion is directed towards urban food systems in segregated cities.