Santa Maria Utilities Department Hosts Annual Pumpkin Drop-Off Event
The Santa Maria Utilities Department is hosting its 5th annual Pumpkin Smashing Event at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center parking lot in Santa Maria, providing a drop-off location for residents to compost leftover pumpkins and divert them from landfills.
Santa Barbara Santa Maria San Luis Obispo, CA, October 19, 2026 —
The Santa Maria Utilities Department is hosting its fifth annual Pumpkin Smashing Event at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center parking lot in Santa Maria, where residents can drop off leftover pumpkins for composting.
The department said the event provides a way to divert pumpkins from landfills. The information provided does not specify when the event will take place, its hours, or how long the drop-off location will be available.
Although the event is named the Pumpkin Smashing Event, the details provided describe a drop-off location for composting. They do not explain whether pumpkins will be smashed at the site or whether residents should prepare them in a particular way before bringing them.
The announcement also does not state whether the drop-off is limited to Santa Maria residents, whether there are restrictions on the pumpkins accepted, or whether there is a cost to participate. The department has not provided further details in the information available for this report.
The event is in its fifth year, according to the department’s description. Its stated purpose is to collect leftover pumpkins for composting and keep them out of landfills. Further information about timing and participation was not included.
Story summarized from the original created by Joe Payne for City of Santa Maria on www.noozhawk.com, see more information here.
