Hold on to your pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and gourds a bit past Halloween for a chance to chuck and smash them into valuable compost.
On Friday, State Senator John Liu and Council Member Sandra Ung announced that this year’s Pumpkin Smash will be in partnership with the Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) in Flushing. The event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A custom-made pumpkin catapult will be a unique addition to the annual community event this year and is expected to be a highlight. Attendees will have the chance to load and launch their own Halloween leftovers.
“The Queens Botanical Garden Pumpkin Smash catapult makes composting fun and accessible, and it’s a fantastic way for our community to practice sustainability and dispose of their pumpkins in a creative and eco-friendly way,” said State Senator John Liu.
The gathering will also give everyone a chance to learn more about the benefits of composing and the ongoing program at QBG. Council Member Sandra Ung is encouraging smashers to learn more about how at-home composting can support the community and the planet from QBG staff during the event.
“By launching old Halloween pumpkins into the air, we’re setting them on a journey to become compost that will nurture the plants and flowers at the Queens Botanical Garden,” said Ung. “By transforming food waste into compost, we build healthier soil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect our planet.”
In previous years, QBG hosted the event at Lou Lodati Park in Sunnyside. But this year, the compost won’t have to travel to make its way into the green spaces and soil at the garden’s own compost yard.
“We are thrilled to host this pumpkin smash on site here at Queens Botanical Garden for the very first time in partnership with our elected officials,” stated Evie Hantzopoulos, Executive Director of Queens Botanical Garden. “This event is not merely a fun opportunity to catapult pumpkins into a big smash pile; it’s also an opportunity to educate the public about composting, reducing food waste, and building a sustainable future.”
At the event, free apple cider, countertop compost containers, and leaf bags will be available while supplies last.
