City Plots Second Annual Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza

The City of Traverse City is bringing back its Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza for a second year, to encourage locals to dispose of their Halloween pumpkins in sustainable ways. Last year’s inaugural program diverted three tons of pumpkin waste from landfills, compared to the one ton the city was hoping to collect in its initial goals. Through the program, pumpkins are composted instead, thanks to a partnership between the city, Carter’s Compost, and SEEDS.

This year’s Pumpkin Smashing Extravaganza is scheduled for Saturday, November 8 from 10am to 1pm. The event will take place at the city’s in-vessel composting unit, which can be found at 143 Beitner, next to the Department of Public Services facility on Woodmere Avenue. The festivities are free and open to the public, and will have several “activity stations” where attendees can smash their pumpkins in fun and creative ways.

In addition to the event, the city will also run pumpkin drop-off hours at the composting unit starting November 1 and continuing until 1pm on November 8. Those hours are available to anyone who isn’t interested in participating in pumpkin smashing, but who would still like to to compost their pumpkins. Per the city, all pumpkins “should be free of any decorations and paint.”

Based on last year’s numbers, the city is aiming to divert another 3 tons of pumpkins from landfills this fall. According to a city press release, 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced in the United States each year, with many ending up in landfills and contributing to problematic methane emissions.