Record Roundup: Where and when to go smashing pumpkins

Halloween has now come and gone, which means the jack-o’-lanterns that once grinned on our front stoops will soon be drooping and decomposing — if not already!

Yet you ought to think twice before tossing them in the garbage. Decaying pumpkins contribute to landfill greenhouse gas emissions and can leach water that may pollute waterways. By adding pumpkins to compost, you can help return their nutrients to the soil. 

Fortunately, North Shore municipalities and park districts provide ample opportunity for you to smash and or sustainably discard your pumpkin this fall. Read on for where and when to do it.

WILMETTE: Pumpkin Pitch (Village of Wilmette, Go Green Wilmette, SCARCE)

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. Nov. 7 in the parking lots of Centennial Park, 2300 Old Glenview Road, and Wilmette Village Hall, 1200 Wilmette Avenue. 9 a.m.-1p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 at Centennial

Wilmette offers two different pumpkin drop-off locations and two days to do it, according to organizer Go Green Wilmette. Residents can pitch their pumpkins on the first day, Nov. 7, at either Centennial Park or Wilmette Village Hall. On the second day, Nov. 28, only Centennial Park will accept pumpkins. The village asks residents to remove candles and decorations before adding their pumpkins.

WINNETKA: Pumpkin Composting Event (Village of Winnetka)

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 1390 Willow Road

The Village of Winnetka asks residents to remove any solid waste from their pumpkins, like candles and bags, before adding them to the Public Works Department’s compost. Other food scraps or landscape waste will not be accepted, a village website shows. Unable to make it on Nov. 4? Residents can also discard their pumpkins next to their leaf piles for collection, but the village requests pumpkins are visible and not placed within leaf piles to prevent damage to leaf collection equipment. 

SKOKIE: Annual Pumpkin Smash (Village of Skokie)

7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the northwest corner of Oakton Street and Floral Avenue, Skokie

The Village of Skokie asks residents to “look for the special dumpster” when they bring their pumpkins to the one-day-only compost event outside the Skokie Farmer’s Market. Residents are welcome to drop off painted pumpkins, but the village asks they remove ribbons, googly eyes, stickers and anything else that isn’t compostable, a village website shows.

KENILWORTH: Pumpkin Smash Party (Village of Kenilworth, Kenilworth Park District)

12 p.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Townley Field, 410 Kenilworth Ave.

Kenilworth residents have a wide window to add their pumpkins — a large garbage bin reportedly will be stationed at the end of Richmond Road near Townley Field from Nov. 2 to Nov. 13. But the village’s Pumpkin Smash Party will take place just the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 3.

HIGHLAND PARK/ HIGHWOOD: Annual Pumpkin Smash (City of Highland Park, Park District of Highland Park) 

4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at The Preserve of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. West

Highland Park is asking the community to come together to compose their carved and uncarved pumpkins, according to the park district’s website. In addition to composting, participants will learn about sustainable practices that benefit our planet. Pumpkins must be free of candles, yarn, glitter, stickers, plastics or any non-biodegradable materials. Painted pumpkins are accepted, if acrylic paint was used. 

NORTHFIELD: Pumpkin Composting (Village of Northfield, Northfield Park District, Go Green Northfield) 

Oct. 30-Nov. 17 at Northfield Community Center parking lot, 401 Wagner Road 

Northfield residents can compost their pumpkins at this event. Painted pumpkins are accepted, but nonorganic items like candles, stickers or other decorations are not, the park district’s website said. 

GLENCOE: Annual Pumpkin Smash (Village of Glencoe, Glencoe Community Garden) 

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Glencoe Community Garden, 385 Old Green Bay Road 

Glencoe is encouraging residents to smash their pumpkins at this event, according to the community garden’s website. If you can’t make it, a pumpkin collection dumpster will be available from Oct. 29 to Nov. 11 outside the garden’s south gate (off Harbor Street between the Metra tracks and the Green Bay Trail). Clean, plain or carved pumpkins and gourds are accepted. Noncompostable items like candles, wax, stickers, paint, glitter or other decorations are not accepted.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.