Pumpkin Composting event to be hosted by Elgin

The City of Elgin residents have an excellent opportunity to compost their pumpkins as the city is arranging a collection event. The event will be conducted on Saturday, November 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the parking lot located at the southwest corner of Grove Avenue and Kimball Street in Elgin.

Elgin is not the only community participating in this free, one-day annual collection event. Elgin will be conducting this event for the fourth time. The Elgin Sustainability Commission has sponsored all the events to help the people educate the value of composing. About 3.72 tons of pumpkins were collected at the event in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, 2.96 tons and 0.87 tons were composed respectively.

Elgin Sustainability Commission Chair Tia Aagesen said, “This event is important not only for the environmental impact of keeping pumpkins out of the landfill but also as an opportunity for folks to learn about composting in general.” Aagesen is also a member of the Commission’s Waste Work Group. She says that creating a sustainable community requires these type of activities.

She said, “Reduction in all waste streams is a vital part of our sustainability action plan; we aim to engage citizens in creating everyday, sustainable habits like composting to meet those goals. Every bit helps.” There will be volunteers at the event that will carry pumpkins from vehicles to the collection container. Participants can have a blast as they also have the option of smashing their pumpkins.

There will be, for the first time ever, food vendors to the event thanks to the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (DNA) for teaming up with the City. The main attraction will be the baked goods of Bida Baking and Cafe Revive. The event is hosted by the City of Elgin Sustainability Commission. They are being cooperated by the Waste Management, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting Education) and Kane County Recycling.