Even though spooky season is just about over, the Office of Sustainability invites you to save your jack-o-lantern and other festive pumpkins and gourds from the scary fate of the landfill by composting them during the third annual Pumpkin Compost Drive.
All pumpkins and gourds free of paint, stickers, glitter, or other synthetic decorations can be dropped off in the bins outside of 305 North School Street in Normal to be composted from November 1 through November 17 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
It is estimated that over 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins in the U.S. will get thrown out and end up in the landfill. When those pumpkins and other organic waste are put into the landfill, they decompose more slowly and release methane gas—a harmful and potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, pumpkins are mostly made up of water, which is not so great to put in the landfill but can be very helpful and nutritive for soil.
Pumpkins and gourds dropped off during the drive will be composted at Better Earth Logistics industrial compost facility in Peoria where they will break down back to soil that is sold and distributed throughout central Illinois.
Contact Sustainability@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-7357 with any questions.
Flyer for 2023 Pumpkin Compost Drive at the Office of Sustainability 
Getting ready to compost some pumpkins in 2022. Don’t worry… no students were harmed in the composting of these pumpkins! 
Student getting ready to compost his pumpkin at last year’s Pumpkin Compost Drive. 
A lot of pumpkins were saved from the landfill in 2022. 
It’s not magic… it’s the science of composting! 
Fun pumpkin composting fact!
