URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- The University of Illinois is offering a chance for people to recycle pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in a more sustainable way.

"Many think that a thrown-away pumpkin will break down and disappear. Not exactly," officials said in a news release. "The reality is, pumpkins are organic waste that fills landfills, releases greenhouse gas methane during decomposition, and leaches water through trash piles to nearby waterways."

As an alternative to throwing pumpkins out, the University of Illinois Extension is hosting pumpkin-smashing and composting events on Nov. 8. The events are being planned for Extension locations across Illinois, and event locations can be found by clicking here.

“Seeing the growing number of tons of pumpkins diverted from landfills getting larger y

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