EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County will host its 4th annual Great Pumpkin Purge next month in an effort to “take Jack back” rather than put him in a landfill.
Madison County Planning and Development Department is sponsoring the event from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 2 at three locations — Alton Middle School, 2200 College Ave., Alton; Willoughby Farm, 631 Willoughby Lane, Collinsville; Highland Middle School, 2813 State Route 160
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“Residents are invited to bring old pumpkins, gourds and jack o’ lanterns for composting, rather than placing them in the trash to be taken to area landfills,” Public Engagement Coordinator Brandon Banks said.
Banks said food waste takes up 30 percent of landfill space. Illinois is the largest producer of pumpkins in the United States.
“Composting old pumpkins lets nutrients and water feed Illinois soil, not landfills,” he said.
The Pumpkin Purge is part of the county’s recycling program. Participants will receive information on reducing food waste, as well as other services available in the county and ways to recycle.
There will be games and prizes/drawings for youth during the event. Event organizers saw a significant increase in demand from last year
For more information, call (618) 296-4606 or email sustainability@co.madison.il.us.
