Smashing Pumpkins? Geneva To Host Fall Recycling Event

GENEVA, IL — Locals will be able to help the earth and smash pumpkins at Geneva's upcoming "Pumpkin Smash" event Nov. 9.

Locals can recycle their pumpkins by smashing them at the event, planned from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green, off Peck and Bricher roads. Sponsored by the city's Natural Resources Committee and the Geneva Park District, the Pumpkin Smash, the Pumpkin Smash helps reduce the number of pumpkins that end up in landfills.

The Community Gardens is a partnership between the park district, city and the Forest Preserve District of Kane County to offer 131 rental plots and gardening classes to the community.

Beyond recycling, the event reuses pumpkins too, as park district crews will till the smashed pumpkins into the garden plots to provide nutrients to the soil.

All decorations, including candles, yarn, stickers, googly eyes and plastic, should be removed before recycling.

During the event, food will be for sale from pumpkin-themed food vendors.

Being a recycling event, locals will also have the chance to bring hard-to-recycle items, such as propane, strollers and smoke detectors, to the Pumpkin Smash for Flat Can Recycling to handle. The Elburn-based recycling center charges a fee based on each item.