Spooky Mulch and Compost Giveaway Free post-Halloween event encourages families to compost pumpkins and reduce waste
San Diego — On Sunday, Nov. 1, I Love A Clean San Diego, in partnership with the County of San Diego, is inviting families to participate in Pumpkin Smash Festival at the Lakeside Community Center.
WHAT: The Pumpkin Smash Festival transforms post-Halloween waste into an opportunity for environmental action. An estimated 200 community members, including children and their families, will bring leftover jack-o’-lanterns to smash, using bats, mallets and hammers.
The pumpkins will then be brought to the Greenery to be transformed into compost.
In addition to the pumpkin smash, participants can expect:
Attendees should bring ready-to-dispose pumpkins, used costumes to donate and buckets to take free compost in. Learn more and sign up here.
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lakeside Community Center | 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside, CA 92040
Why it Matters
Halloween produces tons of waste through single-use costumes and discarded pumpkins. The Pumpkin Smash Festival gives community members a hands-on opportunity to reduce their Halloween footprint.
According to the Department of Energy, over 1 billion pumpkins are discarded in landfills each year. When organic waste like pumpkins is sent to the landfill, it releases methane — a greenhouse gas. Composting diverts pumpkins from the landfill and creates a nutrient-dense soil amendment to grow food.
About I Love A Clean San Diego
I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environmental nonprofit, supporting San Diego County residents and businesses through education, volunteer events and workshops since 1954. I Love A Clean San Diego’s programs are an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and empowering San Diegans to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living. For more information, to volunteer or to donate, visit cleansd.org or call (619) 291-0103.
- Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 | 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Los Penasquitos Ranch House
- City of San Diego residents will pick up free compost and mulch. Kids will participate in activities like a ‘compost graveyard’ to learn about healthy soil.
Pumpkin Smash Festival
- Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 | 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Lakeside Community Center
- Up to 200 participants.
- Families and children will smash jack-o-lanterns with mallets and bats. Pumpkins will be turned into compost at the Greenery.
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