Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
April 2020
Following state guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 we are closed to the public through May 1st. We hope to re-open in our new space in Addison on May 4th.

Staff are available to answer emails and calls . Please feel free to reach out!
Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats, our casual and informative podcast where we discuss everything from recycling to rain barrels. We'll be releasing an episode every weekday through April 22 nd .

Tune in and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or on scarce.org.
This month we recognize the Downers Grove Sanitary District for earning an Earth Flag from SCARCE and DuPage County. They are leader in energy conservation, with efficiency upgrades and on-site energy production, they regularly operate as a net-zero facility. Well done!
Drop-off locations for electronics, hazardous waste, cooking oil, paint, and medicine may be closed. Please check with each location before leaving home. During the shelter-in-place order, avoid leaving home except for essential tasks. Stay home, stay healthy, stay safe.
Sadly, our Earth Day Fair had to be canceled but we hope to create a sense of community in its absence - but we need your help!

Record a 15-30 second video that answers the question " What does Earth Day mean to you?" then send your video to rose@scarce.org .

Videos will be used to make a community mash-up video and shared online. Submissions are due by Sunday April 19th.
Learn with us - Virtually!
We may not be able to meet in-person but we've got some virtual programs up our sleeves! Stay tuned to scarce.org and Facebook for updates on our new venture into webinars.

In the meantime, did you see our webinar with the Illinois Environmental Council? Kay is just as engaging online!
In the midwest flooding is a major issue as many a homeowners knows. Find out what steps you can take, from big to small, to reduce your flooding woes and protect clean water.
Project submissions due April 30 th
The Sustainable Design Challenge is going online this year! The in-person event is canceled but the competition continues. Teams are encouraged to collaborate remotely. Registration is extended through April 24th. Stay tuned for updates on scarce.org.
From DuPage County: Waste & Recycling during COVID-19
Under the Governor’s orders, waste and recycling services are considered an essential service. As such, residents will continue to have waste and recycling carts picked-up during the “stay-at-home” order. However, services like bulk item or yard waste, may be impacted and can differ municipality to municipality. The DuPage County Environmental Division has been tracking services and working with haulers to compile local and regional information on what changes are occurring. Their  website  provides resources for residents impacted by hauling changes and is updated frequently. Additional reminders include; please try to ensure all items are in waste and recycling carts (no loose items next to carts) and due to the abundance of gloves and face masks being used, please ensure these items are placed in the garbage as they are not recyclable in our curbside programs. Questions regarding waste and recycling in DuPage County can be sent to  recycle@dupageco.org .
Coronavirus Relief Effort: PPE Donations
We raided the closets and shelves at SCARCe to donate face masks, goggles, and even transparency film to local organizations to make PPE for healthcare workers. Perhaps you are wondering how you can help your community during this crisis.

DuPage County is collecting protective equipment to distribute - learn more here.

Do you have transparency film to donate?
Some local schools are collecting new transparency film to make PPE for healthcare workers. If you have transparency film to donate, please contact us at info@scarce.org or 630-545-9710.
If you've never tested your toilets for leaks, now's the time - you could have a sneaky, silent leak. Luckily, testing for a leak is easy. The fix is often simple - here are some DIY repair tips from the DuPage Water Commission.
We're all using a lot more wipes these days - but don't flush them! Be sure to dispose of all wipes and paper towels in the trash. Even 'flushable' wipes wreak havoc on our pipes and water treatment centers.
Moving Takes a Village
In March SCARCE moved - 10 semi-trucks worth of stuff at that - and all without an actual moving company. We owe a huge debt of thanks to the folks that helped make it happen. We couldn't have done it without you! Extra special thanks to the DuPage County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP).
Unpacking posters.
Assembling shelves
Shelving books.
Local Native Plant Sales Postponed
Local native plant sales have been postponed in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our annual garden market - however, to help our gardening friends 'grow green', we are still offering compost for sale. Pre-order is required - orders are due May 21st.
Recycling Events
* Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many events are canceled. *
We are doing our best to keep our listings up to date. Please double-check the event listing or with events hosts before leaving home. If you don't see an event listed, it's likely been canceled.
This information may change . View a list of recycling events here.
Environmental Events -  Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
April 8
Composting at Home webinar - registration coming soon!
April 14
April 19
April 24
April 30
April 26
Earth Day Fair - cancelled
May 2
May 16
May 30
Thank You to Businesse s
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies to our  Rescue Projects  this month!
  • Performance Food Group - Montgomery
  • UPS Global Business Service - Lombard
  • Whole Cubes - Addison
  • Whole Foods - Wheaton
Special THANK YOU to our March Volunteers

Due to our move and the coronavirus outbreak, we weren't able to host many groups this past month. However, we look forward to having more groups at our new place! There is so much more space - it's going to be such an improvement!

---Benedictine University - Lisle
---College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn
---Downers Grove South High School NHS
--- DuPage County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program
We couldn't have moved without our volunteers!
Our book rescue couldn't function without these amazing individuals that dedicate their time each week to sorting, stocking, and organizing your donations!

If you see them when you visit, give them a high-five!
Al - Andrea - Bonnie - Cindy - Davina - Diane - Denny - Gary - Gayle - Glenn - Greg - Gregg - Jane - Janice - Jen - Jill - Jim - John P. - John G. - Joyce - Karen - Kath - Kathy - Linda - Marcy - Marilyn - Mary Lynn - Maureen - Nancy - Penny - Sharon - Susan - Tip
Helpful Links
Be a part of this initiative!
Support SCARCE while you shop!
Report stormwater issues online.
Recycling info, trail guide, and more!
Green Bulletin | SCARCE | 630.545.9710 | info@scarce.org | www.scarce.org
This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded by the DuPage County Board, Daniel Cronin, Chairman, the DuPage County Environmental Committee, Liz Chaplin, Chair, and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair.
SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Jan Breyne, Laura Fanning, Lauren Favia, Heather Goudreau, Carrie Horak,
Bev Jaszczurowski, Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, & Rose Naseef
Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
( S chool & C ommunity A ssistance for R ecycling and C omposting E ducation)
This newsletter is part of the Teacher Training Program funded by DuPage County.
Our Professional Development Provider Number: 190000000000000
The mention of a specific product or company is not an endorsement by DuPage County's Environmental Education Program.