Des Plaines offering pumpkin composting

If you're looking for an environmentally friendly way to get rid of jack-o'-lanterns, pumpkins or other gourds after Halloween, head to Des Plaines on Nov. 4.

The city and the Des Plaines Park District will host a pumpkin smashing and composting event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Prairie Lakes Community Center's north parking lot, 515 E. Thacker St.

Participants can toss their gourds into a designated bin and a compost company will haul them away.

Painted pumpkins are fine, but please remove any non-biodegradable materials such as candles, plastic or stickers.