This month we celebrate the Village of Westmont's new composting program as well as several community members' amazing work fostering sustainability and resiliency in our region.

Are you trying to de-clutter while you're at home? Join SCARCE for a virtual workshop to learn how to minimize your impact on the planet while minimizing your possessions. Registration required.

Whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow, it's never too early to start planning for balmier weather! Why not kick off the spring with a project to protect clean water? We want you to help install storm drain medallions to keep pollution out of storm sewers and our waterways. Learn more about this simple, impactful project.

Batteries can pose a tricky issue in garbage and recycling carts. Single-use batteries (alkaline batteries) can be disposed of in your garbage, however, there are options for recycling these batteries for a fee. If interested check out options through Call2Recycle. Unlike single-use batteries, rechargeable batteries pose significant hazards if placed in either garbage or recycling carts. As such, rechargeable batteries should not be placed in either garbage or recycling carts and instead can be recycled at any of the free, designated drop-offs. To find a drop-off near you visit https://www.dupageco.org/OnlineRecyclingGuide/ and select batteries from the drop-down menu.

The Citizen's Utility Board recently released a free guide to help Illinois households cut their utility bills and reduce their environmental impact. The guide covers energy efficiency tips, special power plans from utilities, solar power, and alternative electricity suppliers so homeowners can find what works for them. Request your copy here.

The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) is looking for delegates to help preserve our night sky, our personal health and our wildlife - including nocturnal animals, night pollinators and migrating birds - from excessive artificial light at night, otherwise known as light pollution. To get involved, contact IDA's local lead delegate, Adam Kreuzer at [email protected] or 630-344-6524. Go Dark!

Do you have any children's books in braille? SCARCE has been contacted by a local organization in need of books for children with low-vision and blindness. Bring your braille storybooks to us during our donation hours Tu-Fri 9am-2pm. Have 5 or more boxes? Call 630-545-9710 to schedule your drop-off.

Our partner, Working Bikes, is in need of gently-used bicycle helmets to include with used bike shipments to El Salvador. Bring your bike helmets to SCARCE during our donation hours or one of their many drop-off locations throughout the Chicago area. Thank you for supporting reuse and making bicycling safer, here and abroad!

Help reduce plastic cutlery waste in takeout by demanding food delivery apps make "Opt-In" the default setting for cutlery. 40 billion pieces of plastic cutlery are thrown away each year - let's change it! UBER EATS and Postmates have already joined the effort by updating their apps. Use this form to send GrubHub & DoorDash the message.

Have wrapped plastic cutlery? Contact DuPage PADS to donate it for use at their homeless shelters.

DuPage County Stormwater Management is currently studying the East Branch and wants your help! Log your water quality observations of the East Branch on the County's Water Quality Collector app. Observations will be used in the development of the East Branch of the DuPage River Water Quality Watershed Plan.

Select titles of brand-new, hard-to-find children's storybooks collections are available for $5 during the "For the Love of Reading" sale. Titles include collections from Disney, Pete the Cat, Paw Patrol and more.