2023 Pumpkin Smash Events
What: An opportunity for residents to "green their Halloweens" by dropping off pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, and other compostable seasonal decorations to be composted
Where: A variety of locations! Please see the SCARCE map of all locations in the state and the list of all known Kane County events below. The Kane County Recycling Program will have its collection once again at Pushing the Envelope Farm, 1700 Averill Rd., Geneva., just north of the intersection of Rt. 38/State Street and Kirk Road.
Date & Time: Most Pumpkin Smash events, including the County event, are on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 9am - noon. There are some variations with date and time for other events. See red font in the list below for events with known variations.
Accepted Materials: All pumpkin smashes accept whole pumpkins and gourds, carved jack-o-lanterns, and pumpkins decorated with water-based paints (latex or acrylic paint) and washable markers. Any candles, ribbons or stickers should be removed. Please do not bring pumpkins decorated with spray paint or permanent marker, as the materials in these products are not safe to compost. The County-hosted event additionally accepts hay bales and corn stalks, while the West-side Geneva event will have recycling of additional non-compostable items.
List of Kane Co. Smash Events (as of Oct 12)
Aurora - Hosted by U of I Extension at McCleery Elementary School, 1002 W. Illinois Street, Aurora on Friday, November 3rd, 3 - 5pm. More about this event here.
Elgin Downtown - Hosted by Elgin Sustainability Commission at 250 N. Grove Ave, Elgin (old library parking lot at the southwest corner of the intersection of Grove and Kimball) on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 9am - noon. More about this event here.
Elgin South - Hosted by Elgin Sustainability Commission at the Elgin Sports Complex, 709 Sports Way, Elgin on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 9am - noon. More about this event here.
Geneva East - Hosted by Kane County Recycling Program at Pushing the Envelope Farm, 1700 Averill Rd., Geneva on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 9am - noon, accepting corn stalks and hay bales in addition to pumpkins and gourds.
Geneva West - Hosted by Geneva Natural Resources Committee & Geneva Park District at the Community Gardens at Prairie Green (just west of the intersection of Peck and Bricher Roads) on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 10am - noon. Flat Can Recycling will also be on site collecting aerosols, batteries and latex paint for a fee per item. There will also be food vendors. More about this event here.
Hampshire - Hosted by the Village of Hampshire at Henpeck Park, 995 South State St., Hampshire on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 9am - noon. More about this event here.
St. Charles - Hosted by the St. Charles Natural Resources Commission at St. Charles Dept. of Public Works, 1405 S. 7th Ave, St. Charles (remember to approach on 7th Ave due to the closure of Rt. 25), on Saturday, Nov. 4th, 9am - noon. More about this event here.
