Pumpkin Smahsing Extravaganza
The City is excited to team up with Carter’s Compost and SEEDS again this year for the Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza, a community event focused on sustainability and fun. This free event will welcome the public to smash their pumpkins at various activity stations. In addition, pumpkin drop-off will be allowed from November 1st, and will continue until 1:00 pm on November 8th. Pumpkins should be free of any decorations and paint.
The 20-yard in-vessel composting unit is a key part of the City’s Compost and Food Waste Reduction project. This fully enclosed system, ideal for urban settings, can process approximately 100 tons of food waste annually.
In 2025, the City exceeded its goal and was able to divert 3 tons of pumpkins from landfills. With 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins produced annually in the U.S., many end up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions—landfills account for 20% of the U.S.’s methane output. Composting pumpkins helps reduce greenhouse gases, diverts waste, and returns nutrients to the soil, improving environmental health. This event is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and educate the public on how they can make incremental steps toward food waste reduction.
Bring your own pumpkins to smash and make new life through composting.
Event Details
Saturday, November 8, 2025
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
143 Beitner (next to the DPS Building on Woodmere Avenue and across from the Library - main branch)