U of I gives ‘education and fun along the way’ with pumpkin smashing occasions

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois is providing an opportunity for individuals to recycle pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in a extra sustainable manner.

“Many think that a thrown-away pumpkin will break down and disappear. Not exactly,” officers mentioned in a information launch. “The reality is, pumpkins are organic waste that fills landfills, releases greenhouse gas methane during decomposition, and leaches water through trash piles to nearby waterways.”

As a substitute for throwing pumpkins out, the University of Illinois Extension is internet hosting pumpkin-smashing and composting occasions on Nov. 8. The occasions are being deliberate for Extension places throughout Illinois, and occasion places could be discovered by clicking here.

“Seeing the growing number of tons of pumpkins diverted from landfills getting larger year-to-year rather than the number piling up in landfills, shows the importance and impact both locally and statewide of hosting these events in communities,” mentioned Kathryn Pereira, Illinois Extension native meals and small farms educator.

Illinois Extension has partnered with environmental nonprofit SCARCE to host the pumpkin smashes. Over the course of ten years, SCARCE’s smashing occasions have composted greater than 1,250 tons of pumpkins, diminished greenhouse gasoline by 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and diverted over 300,000 gallons of water from landfills.

Illinois Extension joined the smashing effort in 2019.

“It’s benefiting communities, partnerships, and environmental efforts by responsibly composting pumpkins, while adding in education and fun along the way,” Pereira added.

There isn’t any price to attend Illinois Extension smashing occasions. People who can’t attend a smash occasion should be capable to compost by their native trash supplier, non-public service or by beginning a compost pile.