The bright sunshine and mild temperatures were perfect for West Chicago’s annual Pumpkin Collection/Compost Event, which took place at the First United Methodist Church parking lot, 643 East Washington Street on Saturday, November 7, 2020.
Coordinated by the West Chicago Environmental Commission, First United Methodist Church, S.C.A.R.C.E, and Groot Industries, a total haul of 4.94 tons of pumpkins were collected, nearly filling the collection receptacle to its capacity. The event was done in a safe, socially distanced way with people driving through to smash their pumpkins in the dumpster or drop them off and leave.
Composting returns nutrients and water back to the soil – pumpkins are nutrient rich. They are ninety-percent water, making pumpkins good for our soil, but bad for our landfills.
Most of the pumpkins processed in the United States are grown in Illinois. Composting pumpkins will keep the water and nutrients here where they are grown.
For more information about pumpkin composting, visit the S.C.A.R.C.E. website and search “pumpkin composting”.
