Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
January 2020
SCARCE is celebrating 30 years! Since 1990, we've had the privilege to serve millions of people locally and around the world through our mission to care for people and the planet we all share. The future is bright and we’ve got a big vision for 2020.
Stay tuned for exciting news!
Do you feel a sense of awe when you gaze at a night sky full of stars? Help preserve that experience for future generations!
Join us and the International Dark Sky Association to learn the surprising effects of light pollution on people, plants and animals,and get practical info on what you can do at home and in your community to save the night. Registration required.

Are you trying to downsize and de-clutter your home or that of a family or friend? Join SCARCE to learn how to minimize your impact on the planet while minimizing your possessions. Two sessions offered:


Registration required.
This month we highlight the efforts of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for their restoration work and the five locations that participated in Thanksgiving weekend cooking oil collections.
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County received an award for restoration work at Springbrook Prairie.
Five sites collected over 400 gallons of cooking oil for recycling the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Eco-tip: recycle your (real) Christmas tree!
Remove all decorations and lights. Many communities offer free recycling programs for live trees either curbside or drop-off.
During the month of January check out SCARCE's Where is Away? exhibit at the Oak Brook Public Library. Get the answers to your questions on recycling, composting, and more with this interactive display.  Learn more about the exhibit and how to bring it to your library here.
Keep our waterways free from salt pollution this winter with these simple tips to efficiently shovel and remove ice for safe walkways and driveways. Not only will you protect our environment you'll also prevent chemicals from being tracked into your home. Get more eco-friendly tips from our post.
Jan 25th, 10:30am-3pm
Join the DuPage County NAACP for a program featuring four talks from community experts on climate & social justice along with info booths from local organizations between sessions.
Join SCARCE and like-minded organizations for the annual DuPage Environmental Summit. Learn about how climate change is affecting us and how we can increase resilience as a community. Free, registration is required.
Are you the parent of a high school student in DuPage County? Check out this FREE annual STEAM event that gives students hands-on education and career exploration opportunities unrivaled in the classroom. Join us at the 14th annual Sustainable Design Challenge on April 21st.
SCARCE is looking for sponsors to get involved in the Sustainable Design Challenge. If you are a professional in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape or interior design or in another field with experience in sustainable design, we want you!
Holiday lights cannot be recycled at home but luckily many communities offer convenient drop-off locations for broken and unwanted strands. Find a location.
There are many high-tech solutions to climate change but one of the most impactful is simply planting and caring for our trees. So in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in April - plant a tree! Learn more about the benefits of trees and global planting efforts.
DuPage County recently expanded their list of  items accepted at electronic recycling sites. In addition to electronics, a select number of locations will also be accepting used clothing and textiles for recycling. The locations currently accepting textiles include Addison Township, Burr Ridge, Bloomingdale Township, Lisle, and Wheaton.
Recycling Events
On-going
Environmental Events -  Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
Jan 9
Jan 10
Jan 14
Downsize & Declutter Workshop:  Afternoon  or  Evening
Jan 18
Jan 21
Jan 22
Jan 25
Jan 30
Feb 5
April 22
50th Anniversary of Earth Day!
Ongoing:
Scarcely Used Books & Records  @ SCARCE 9am-12pm every Tues & Fri and select Saturdays
Thank You to Businesse s
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies to our  Rescue Projects  this month!
  • Carlson Art & Framing - Wheaton
  • Domtar - Addison
  • Donohue & Associates - Chicago
  • Downsizing by Design - Wheaton
  • IBM - Schaumburg
  • Invesco - Downers Grove
  • Tyson Foods - Chicago
  • Whole Foods - Wheaton
Special THANK YOU to our December volunteers
----- American Voices Project (Stanford University)
----- Benedictine University- Lisle
----- Benet Academy - Lisle
----- Cantigny - Wheaton
----- Clarke - St. Charles
----- College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn
----- College Preparatory School of America - Lombard
----- Elmhurst College
----- Glen Oaks Therapeutic Day School - Glen Ellyn
----- HAVI - Downers Grove
----- Hinsdale Central High School - Hinsdale
----- Hinsdale South High School - Darien
----- North Central College - Naperville
----- St. Matthew Church - Glendale Heights
----- Wheaton Warrenville South High School - Wheaton
Students from Benet Academy making Super Crayons.
On-going Volunteer Opportunities
  • SCARCE Book Rescue Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm. 
  • Lisle & Wheaton Electronics Recycling: Saturdays (Age 14+)
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 - Amie - Ann - Bonnie - Carol - Chris - Cindy - Claudia - Diane - Denny - Gayle - Glenn - Greg - Gregg - Jane - Janice - Jen - Jennifer - Jill - Jim - John - Joyce - Julie - Karen - Kathy - Laura - Linda - Marcy - Marilyn - Margie - Maureen - Nancy - Paul - Penny - Sharon - Susan - Terri - 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.