Record Roundup: How to smash, bash and trash your pumpkins in the North Shore

Tossing pumpkins in a landfill can have a scary effect on the environment, but there are alternatives.

Local public institutions and conservation groups will host events starting this Saturday for residents to responsibly dispose of their pumpkins.

So if you are planning a Halloween cleanup, here is where and when you can smash those pumpkins — just remember to remove all decorations first:

WILMETTE: Pumpkin Pitch (Village of Wilmette, Go Green Wilmette, SCARCE)
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Centennial Recreation Center, 2300 Glenview Road, and Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Ave.

Remove candles and decorations before bringing your pumpkins to the dumpsters at these sites. According to the organizers, this event helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organics. Pumpkins are 90% water and produce a useful, nutrient-rich organic product, and composting them helps to restore eroded and nutrient-depleted soils. For more information, click here.

WINNETKA: Pumpkin Composting (Village of Winnetka)
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, Municipal Yards Facility, 1390 Willow Road, Winnetka.

One-day only pumpkin collection. Residents encouraged to bring pumpkins to limit the amount sent to landfills. Residents can also set pumpkins on the parkway for collection, but they must be visible and separate from leaf piles.

GLENCOE: Pumpkin Smash (Glencoe Community Garden)
• 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Community Garden, 385 Old Green Bay Road.

Smash, smush, crush and compost your pumpkins. If you can’t make it, drop off your pumpkins in the dumpster outside the garden’s south gate between Oct. 27-Nov. 14.

HIGHLAND PARK: Pumpkin Smash (Park District of Highland Park)
4:30-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at The Preserve of Highland Park, 1207 Park Avenue West

Enjoy smashing, composting and learning about sustainable practices. The event is free but you can register online.

The City of Highland Park will also collect pumpkins for composting via its curbside composting program.

SKOKIE: Pumpkin Smash (Village of Skokie)
7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, in the lot at northwest corner of Oakton Street and Floral Avenue.

Join the fun and smash your own pumpkin for a hands-on sustainability experience

NORTHFIELD: Compost Your Pumpkins (Northfield Park District, Village of Northfield, Go Green Northfield)
Nov. 1-17 at Northfield Community Center, 401 Wagner Road

Bring your pumpkins to the dumpster in the southeast corner of the community center parking lot.

KENILWORTH: Pumpkin Recycling Party (Village of Kenilworth, Kenilworth Park District)
2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Joseph Sears School blacktop

Through this event, the Village will help divert local pumpkins from landfills, and instead compost them. Can’t make the event? A garbage bin for used pumpkins will be available between Nov. 3-7 at the end of Richmond Road near Townley Field.

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