The Office of Sustainability works with Better Earth, a composting company based in Peoria. ISU already collaborates with Better Earth to compost all of the university’s food waste, and now they’re teaming up once again to support the pumpkin composting drive.
ISU Office of Sustainability launches November Pumpkin Compost Drive
Written by Jacie Hinton on October 29, 2025
Image courtesy of Illinois State University
NORMAL, Ill. – From Jack-O-Lanterns to new soil, Illinois State University’s Office of Sustainability will run a Pumpkin Compost Drive for the entire month of November.
Elisabeth Reed, director of sustainability said that the landfill in McLean County has been closed for several years. Any kind of waste has to be transported elsewhere, and that can be an environmental and economic concern.
“Any way that we can divert some of our waste from a landfill whether that be recycling or compost is really important,” Reed said.
Reed mentioned that food waste typically takes up space in landfills. That waste can then release methane, and that type of gas hurts the environment.
“Composting is wonderful because they’re pumpkins, they came from the earth and they can go back into the earth,” Reed said.
The donation of pumpkins isn’t just for ISU students; it’s open to anyone in the community. People can donate any pumpkins or gourds they may have.
The Office of Sustainability can’t take any pumpkins that have any synthetic materials on them like paint, glitter or stickers.
Green compost toters will be located in front of the Office of Sustainability for people to drop off their pumpkins.
Their office is at 305 N. School St. For more information about the Pumpkin Compost Drive or other events hosted by the Office of Sustainability, visit ISU’s website under the Events tab.
