Nov. 5: CLC hosts pumpkin collection and composting event

After Halloween, don't throw your used pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in the trash, compost them!

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the College of Lake County will collect used pumpkins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grayslake Campus, Parking Lot 3, 19351 W. Washington St. Bring your pumpkins to the collection spot for composting and enjoy treats and games too!

"Pumpkins, which are 90 percent water, are full of nutrients that are good for the soil. Most of the pumpkins processed in the United States are grown in Illinois, so we're urging the community to keep those nutrients here and eliminate pumpkins from our landfills," said David Husemoller, CLC sustainability manager.

The composted pumpkins will be used by Midwest Organics Recycling, a McHenry company, and turned into compost sold at retail locations such as Whole Foods and used at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and Shedd Aquarium.

Please remove candles and any decorations from the pumpkins. For more information, contact Husemoller at dhusemoller@clcillinois.edu or (847) 543-2643.

The event is being sponsored by College of Lake County, the CLC Environmental Club and SWALCO.

The College of Lake County is dedicated to sustainable practices. The college's sustainability plan establishes goals, action items and performance metrics within the intersecting spheres of greening our campus, greening our curriculum and greening our community. To learn more, visit www.clcillinois.edu/gogreen.