Composting Pumpkins: A Smashing Hit

Recycling Connections received a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin (CFCW) in 2025 to increase access to composting in Stevens Point. We took three approaches to reach this goal:

1. Created a Home Compost Demonstration Site

2. Created a free food scrap drop-off site

3. Hosted a Community Pumpkin Smash

New Community Home Composting Demonstration Site

Working closely with Golden Sands RC&D, we selected the community garden next to Mead Park as the home to Stevens Point’s Home Composting Demonstration Site. During this process, we found the old Schmeeckle Sign from the previous home composting demonstration site that used to be housed at Schmeeckle Reserve. Working with the amazing team at their Woodworking Shop, Schmeeckle staff were able to restore this sign and give it new life. We are thrilled to use this sign that is estimated to be over 30 years old. We look forward to hosting home composting workshops in the spring. Stay tuned!

New Free Food Scrap Drop-off Site

Working closely with Bucket Ruckus, we created a food scrap drop-off site on Union Street that residents can sign-up to use for free. Once you are signed up, Kelly Adlington, the owner of Bucket Ruckus, will send a code to access the bin and provide instructions for use. We are proud to be offering this service option for residents.

First Community Pumpkin Smash Event

Lastly, we had a Smashing Ol’ Time hosting our community’s first ever Pumpkin Smash. This event reached 115 people. There were staff from Recycling Connections and Golden Sands RC&D who organized, planned, and led the event. We leveraged 28 volunteers to help. Some of them decided to stay after their shift since they were having so much fun! Lastly, there were 79 community members who attended the event on Nov. 15, 2025 between Noon-3pm. It was truly a smashing hit.

Bucket Ruckus and volunteers help collect pumpkins for composting.

Our Pumpkin Smash event collected 2,759 lbs of pumpkin waste to be composted by Bucket Ruckus instead of landfilled. We joined a network of about 150 towns/cities around the country that offer a Community Pumpkin Smash. It is clear the publicity of the event helped people rethink the trash bin and compost their pumpkins or allow animals to eat them at home instead of putting them in the landfill.

We also had freshly pressed apple cider from locally-grown apples using a cider press from Lonely Oaks Farms. Local musicians, Mosey and Meander, provided acoustic music at the event. Partners like the Stevens Point Area Co-op and Children’s Museum had a booth at the event. This really created a festive atmosphere to learn more about composting while having fun smashing, dropping, bowling, or “sling shooting” pumpkins. 

Boy using sling shot to throw a pumpkin.

We are so grateful for the CFCW support on this work. Their award gave us the support and resources to create the foundation for advancing compost education in our community. Stay tuned for more composting education in 2026!