2024 Green Greetings!

Make everyday Earth Day - "Green" your Choices - Save Resources - Be Happy

Green is the Lucky Color

Whether you believe in the luck of the Irish or a four-leaf clover, the color green is often associated with good luck. This month includes some opportunities to do more than watch the Chicago river be dyed green in an environmentally safe manner.

Clean out some electronics, turn off the lights for a bit, dust off the bicycle when we get warmer days, and visit our booth at an Earth Day Fair!

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Electronics: 8-Noon Sat 3/23

Kick off your spring cleaning by bringing any unwanted electronics items to our Saturday collection in Shorewood. This four-hour event is located behind the northwest corner of Rt. 59 and Black Rd. We will accept items FREE of charge, including up to two TVs of any size. There will be personnel to assist with unloading your vehicle and no appointment is necessary for this event. RRE staff look forward to seeing you!

304 Gregory Ct., Shorewood

Saturday, March 23

8am - Noon

Earth Hour: 8:30-9:30pm 3/23

Since 2007 Earth Hour has been known for the “lights off” movement – a symbolic event to show the collective support for the planet’s resources. This year, the force behind the movement is stepping things up to create the Biggest Hour for Earth.

How? By calling on people and businesses across the globe to switch off their lights and give an hour for the Earth, spending 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet. While you may turn off lights on Saturday evening, the hour you give can be any time. Perhaps you want to spend an hour learning more about climate change, picking up litter in your neighborhood, going to a solar webinar, or encouraging reusable dishes and cups in your workplace instead of disposables.

It is your choice to use 60 minutes to help the Earth.

Click to learn more about ways to participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 23, 2024

Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale

Will County is once again partnering with The Conservation Foundation to offer compost bins and rain barrels made from recovered and refurbished containers. The vendor, Upcycle Products, Inc., is local and has been in business for 17 years driven by a mission to provide all plants (garden and flowers) water through natural rainfall. Compost used on plant beds helps the soil retain moisture, so these two products can truly reduce anyone’s watering needs.

Click to learn more about items.

EV Charging Rights for Renters

On January 1, the “right to charge” portion of last year’s SB40, aka the EV Charging Act, went into effect. This law requires new residential construction in Illinois to be “EV Capable” – have the infrastructure to support future EV charging in parking spaces. In addition, it prohibits landlords and homeowners’ associations from unreasonably restricting renters and condo owners charging their EVs at home.

This FAQ lays out answers to real-world questions people are likely to face in exercising their right to charge. Not all who live in multi-unit dwellings have access to off-street parking, but many do, and they should know that their access to home charging can now be as accessible and affordable for them as for single family homeowners. This is especially true in Chicago, where every new residence with on-site parking will now be 100% EV Ready.

Host a Presentation on Worms

Our Environmental Educator, Erin, has created a wonderful presentation on composting with worms, known as vermicomposting.

Erin is available to present at libraries, park districts, and other public spaces where she’ll lead children through an adventure with Rory, The Worm Who Saved The Earth! Rory the red wiggler worm sets off to find a way to make his friends Blossom, Mr. Apple Tree, and the Earth feel better. Their journey will give kids a deeper understanding of nature and appreciation of worms.

Click to email Erin

Fix-a-Leak Week: March 18-24

Stop water leaks from damaging your home or running up your bills during "Fix a Leak Week," running March 18 – 24, 2024. Homeowners can save up to 10% on their water bills by correcting common and easy-to-fix water issues like leaking valves and worn toilet flappers, according to the United States.Environmental Protection Agency. Take the 10-minute WaterSense Challenge to reveal the telltale signs of water problems—for example, water usage greater than 12,000 gallons (16 CCF) a month for a family of four in the winter is a sign of serious leaks! Check your monthly water bill for your usage. Click here to learn how to detect and address water leaks.

Check out their video

Battery Awareness Continues

Have you wondered what to do with a battery? They are labeled but the labels are often difficult to read or confusing, informing consumers not to place them in the garbage but knowing they are not taken in curbside recycling. The answers to many questions are now in one place, thanks to the Illinois Product Stewardship Council. Learn about the various types of batteries, which are recycled at retail locations and what to do if your battery shows signs of deterioration.

This awareness campaign is part of an agreement between staff members of Will, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties.

Volunteer for the Repair Cafe

Bring your skills to the JJC Romeoville campus on Saturday, April 13 to help people wishing to keep item out of the landfill. If you are handy or crafty, have some sewing talent, or just a knack for figuring stuff out, consider volunteering!

The Romeoville Repair Café is also an opportunity to meet people that like helping others. Items to repair include:

Small electric appliances
Clothing and Textiles
Furniture
Toys
Bicycles & carts
Simple repairs with glue, string, & tape
Jewelry

If you have experience repairing please fill out a volunteer form or contact the JJC Office of Sustainability at [email protected] for more information! Applicant meetings will be scheduled after JJC’s Office of Sustainability has received your information.

Volunteer Today

to assist with planning a great Repair Cafe event

Skilled at sewing? JJC needs your talent!

*Please note that there is no guarantee that all items brought to this event will be repairable.

Bring a Cup or Container

Food and packaging/containers account for approximately 45% of landfill materials in the United States, according to the U.S. EPA. Consumer-owned containers have been allowed for bulk foods in Illinois since 2020. Since August of last year, Public Act 103-0524 allows consumer-owned containers at food establishments to be filled or refilled with ready-to-eat foods. It is important to note that the decision to allow use of consumer-owned containers is made individually by each food establishment. The Illinois Department of Health has released guidelines to assist both consumers and food establishments. Whenever possible bring clean, durable containers and ask your favorite places to allow their use.

Guidance on Using Your Own Cup and Containers for Take-Out

Earth Fair: 2-3:30pm Sun, 3/24

Frankfort Public Library is offering an Earth Awareness Fair for organizations and individuals to showcase and encourage Earth stewardship, resilience, sustainability, and community. Visit the fair to discover how you can lend your skills and passion to support local organizations dedicated to promoting a healthy environment for all of Earth's inhabitants. Participating Organizations:

*More participating organizations to come!

Drop-ins also welcome!

Call FPLD Adult Services at 815-534-6173, or click to visit

JJC Sustainability Class - April 25

Register now for an amazing class at Joliet Junior College on the topic of sustainability, offered on April 25 ($59 fee). The class will run from 6 to 9 p.m.

Maria Rafac, JJC’s Sustainability Coordinator and long-standing member of the architect faculty has been including information in several classes that students will find engaging and insightful.

Everyday we make choices and many of them impact our environment. Learn what sustainability is, how it affects you, and how you can make more informed decisions. Participate in an interactive format and possibly make some new environmentally aware friends.

Thursday, April 25th 6-9pm

or calling (815) 280-1555

Health, Safety & Storm Spotting

Mark the calendar and plan to attend the Village of New Lenox's amazing Health and Safety Fair with Touch-a-Truck for the kids!

The National Weather Service is providing a Severe Weather Spotter Training, combined with a Health and Safety Expo and Touch-a-Truck event on April 3, 2024. This educational experience is open to the public and free of charge, with activities starting at 5 p.m. The Severe Weather Spotter Training begins at 7pm and runs through 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3rd 5-8:30pm

Lincoln-Way West High School

21701 Gougar Road, New Lenox

Recyclepalooza April 27 in Joliet

Trying a new location on the west side of Joliet, Will County shall be offering a Spring Recyclepalooza and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event on Saturday, April 27 by APPOINTMENT! We will be accepting electronic items, HHW products, Polystyrene foam packaging, scrap wood and metal, along with donations of clothing, toys, cookware, small home goods, food pantry items, items for our Troops, items for the animal shelter and worn American flags for ceremonial destruction. Volunteers are needed to assist.

Click to see full list of items and to make an Appointment or Volunteer

Social Media: Find Leaks, Save $

A Facebook post that received some positive attention over the past month encouraged readers to check their homes for leaks. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10% of homes have leaks wasting 90 gallons of water a day! Any leak, no matter how small is wasting water and costing money. Please take a few minutes to check for water leaks and possibly save some money and water. Find out how to find those leaks at this link: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week...