Pumpkin Smash 2026

From Halloween Pumpkins to a Greener Future: Miami-Dade Students Take on the Pumpkin Smash Challenge

George Washington Carver Elementary School defends its Golden Pumpkin title as 12 Miami-Dade schools come together to turn post-Halloween waste into an environmental learning experience.

What happens to thousands of pumpkins after Halloween? In Miami-Dade County, students are discovering that the answer doesn’t have to be the landfill.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), in partnership with Fertile Earth, is bringing back its Second Annual Pumpkin Smash!, transforming leftover Halloween pumpkins into an opportunity for environmental education, community involvement, and a little friendly competition.

After collecting an impressive 6,850 pounds of pumpkins during last year’s inaugural event, participating schools have set an ambitious goal for 2026: double that amount while inspiring more students to understand the importance of composting, food recovery, and protecting the environment.

This year, 12 schools across Miami-Dade County joined the initiative, collecting pumpkins from November 2 through November 5. The program culminates in a special collection event at George Washington Carver Elementary School on November 6, where students and educators celebrate their efforts alongside representatives from Fertile Earth and the school district.

For Carver Elementary, the excitement carries an additional challenge. As the reigning winner of the prestigious Golden Pumpkin Award, the school is determined to defend its championship title.

“As we prepare to defend our first place Golden Pumpkin Award this year, Carver is bringing back that team spirit and is determined to turn even more waste into wins for our school and our planet!” said Principal Patricia Fairclough.

But beyond the competition, Pumpkin Smash is teaching students something that extends far beyond the classroom: even something as simple as a discarded pumpkin can have a second life.

Through Fertile Earth’s collection process, pumpkins are weighed using specially equipped trucks before being directed toward their highest and best use. Suitable pumpkins may be donated to local farms for animal consumption, while the remaining eligible organic material is composted, eventually returning valuable nutrients to the soil.

“We are embarking on a new era, in which elementary school students are learning about composting and sharing that information with their parents,” said Dr. Lanette Sobel, Founder and CEO of Fertile Earth.

That exchange of knowledge between children and parents is perhaps one of the initiative’s most meaningful outcomes. Students are not simply learning about sustainability; they are becoming environmental ambassadors within their own households.

“The Pumpkin Smash proves that sustainability can be a blast. It’s an easy, engaging way to get students excited about diverting waste and taking pride in their school community,” said Karly Pulido, Resource Efficiency Officer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

This year’s competition also introduces the 100% Clean Collection Certificate, recognizing schools that properly prepare their pumpkins by removing candles, glitter, paint, plastic decorations, and other contaminants. The recognition reinforces an important environmental lesson: responsible waste management is not only about how much material is collected, but also about ensuring it can be successfully recovered and reused.

The initiative is part of a broader partnership between M-DCPS and Fertile Earth, which includes an 18-month school composting pilot program focused on recovering food scraps and exploring sustainable waste management practices within the school system.

Among the participating schools are Coconut Grove Elementary, David Fairchild Elementary, Sunset Elementary, South Miami K-8 Center, Pinecrest Elementary, and George Washington Carver Elementary, connecting students from communities across Miami-Dade through a shared environmental mission.

With the official 2026 Golden Pumpkin Award winners scheduled to be announced on November 12, the competition is far from over.

Yet regardless of which school takes home the trophy, the larger victory is already taking shape: a generation of young students discovering that protecting the environment begins with everyday choices.

And sometimes, making a difference starts with a pumpkin.