Park City’s Pumpkin Smash turns Halloween waste into environmental win

Photo: PC Recreation

PARK CITY, Utah — Residents can give their Halloween pumpkins a second life at the Pumpkin Smash on Nov. 2. The free event, running from 1-4 p.m. at the Park City Municipal Athletic & Recreation Center (PC MARC), allows participants to throw and smash pumpkins that will later be processed into compost at Momentum Recycling.

Get your free tickets now to participate in the Pumpkin Smash 2024. The PC MARC is located at 1200 Little Kate Road, where the event will take place on the east end patio.

Composting those pumpkins to save our environment

For those unable to participate in the smashing event, the Park City School District, Park City Community Foundation’s Zero Food Waste program, Momentum Recycling and Spoil to Soil have established 15 drop-off locations throughout the area.

From Oct. 29 to Nov. 10, pumpkins can be dropped off at Little Miners Montessori, Park City Day School, Soaring Wings Montessori, Weilenmann School, PC MARC, Recycle Utah, Macey’s Pinebrook, Summit Community Gardens, Summit County Library and the Mawhinney lot.

Extended collection sites operating from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 include Ecker Hill Middle School, Jeremy Ranch Elementary, Park City High School, Parley’s Park Elementary and Trailside Elementary.

The initiative has shown significant environmental impact. “Last year, the community successfully diverted 30,000 pounds of pumpkins from entering the landfill,” according to the Park City Community Foundation. “This effort saved the county $4,423 in landfill space costs and prevented over 4,000 pounds of methane emissions from being released into the atmosphere—equivalent to a standard car driving around the equator more than four times.”

Residents interested in year-round sustainability efforts can join the Foundation’s Zero Food Waste program for curbside residential food waste pickup.