Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
January 2021
Downsize & Declutter without the Dumpster
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.

Two sessions offered:


Registration required. This program is held on Zoom.
A sustainable rest stop from the 2017 challenge.
Registration opens Feb 1st
High school students work in teams to design a sustainable building in a bid for cash prizes of up to $500. Students collaborate remotely to research, design, and make a video presentation of their model for a panel of professionals from design fields including architecture and engineering.

This is a program of SCARCE and DuPage County Stormwater Management.
Thursday, Jan 28th 8:30am-12pm
Get a little Nature RX at this year's summit! Learn from speakers as they share ways to engage with nature for the purpose of finding mental strength and balance as they address the theme "Using Nature to Improve Mental Health".

The summit will be held virtually. Pre-registration required. Free and open to the public. Hosted by The Conservation Foundation.
DuPage County Electronics and Textile Recycling for 2021
Out with the old, unused, or broken items and in with the new! Give old electronics and textiles a purpose by dropping them off at DuPage County's electronic and textile recycling sites. Check dupageco.org/electronicsrecycling for electronic recycling details and quarterly recycling dates.

In addition to electronics, many of the sites also accept textiles: clothing, sheets, bedding, towels, and other household textiles in any condition. No heavily soiled items please. Place old, unused, or ripped textiles in a plastic bag and drop-off similar to electronic items. These items will be processed by the non-profit RewearAble. Items not suitable for reuse will be given a second life as cleaning rags, insulation, packaging material, or carpeting.
Special Shipment: Utah Prison Bread Tag Donation
In December SCARCE received a special package of bread tags for our recycling program. A Utah State Prison inmate heard about our collection with Danielle Cares for Chairs on the news and how it had been impacted by the closure of many restaurants. They recruited their fellow prison culinary crew members and shipped us over 2 pounds of bread tags! Just goes to show how we can all make a difference.
New DuPage County Water Quality Videos
DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM) has created 25 brief videos highlighting methods we can use to protect clean water in our communities. Check out the videos for residents & businesses or those created to help municipal and county staff meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit mandates. All are available on the SWM Love Blue. Live Green YouTube Channel.
Eco-tip: recycle your (real) Christmas tree.
Remove all decorations and lights. Check with your town for curbside or drop-off recycling programs for live trees. Willowbrook Wildlife Center accepts a limited quantity of trees each holiday season - call before dropping off. Learn more about holiday clean-up in our WDCB segment.
Do you have a project you'd like to complete that benefits local water quality? Get help with up to 25% of costs from DuPage County Stormwater Management. Both individuals and organizations may apply. Sample projects include permeable pavers, green roofs, and native plant restoration.
Who lives in our streams and what does this tell us about the water quality? Join Jessi DeMartini, Aquatic Research Coordinator at the Urban Stream Research Center at Blackwell Forest Preserve, to find out!
Sponsored by DuPage County Stormwater Management and The Conservation Foundation.
For the first time in 25 years, Illinois is updating the State Water Plan. Provide your input to help shape it! Fill out the online survey now through January 15th. Available in English here and Spanish here.
As you put away the decorations, set aside unwanted or broken holiday light strands for recycling at a collection near you! There are dozens of locations across DuPage County but hurry - most are only for a limited time! Check our list to find one near you.
Book a virtual program for your organization!
Our educators are available to provide engaging environmental programs for groups of all ages via Zoom. We offer a variety of topics including composting, recycling, zero waste, community impact, water conservation, and many topics in-between. Great for garden clubs, work lunch and learns, civic groups, youth organizations, and more! Contact us at 630-545-9710 or email [email protected] to learn more.
January is Radon Action Month
Did you know that you can't see, smell, or taste radon gas but it could be poisoning the air in your home? Exposure to high levels can cause lung cancer. The only way to know is by testing for it. Luckily, it's cheap and easy with a DIY kit from the hardware store. Once you know, you can take steps to fix it to protect yourself and your family. Make radon testing an annual routine so you can breath easy. Learn more.
Start off the new year by getting your home in shape! ComEd offers free in-home or virtual home energy assessments for customers. Assessments include free and discounted energy saving products such as LED light bulbs, sink aerators, and Smart Thermostats so you can save energy and money.
Recently, the DuPage County Sheriff's Office (501 N. County Farm Rd, Wheaton) dedicated the parking space closest to the entry to citizens dropping off prescription medication, syringes and Epipens for disposal. Learn more about medicine disposal in DuPage County.
We have resumed accepting donations of books, records and some of our recycling projects. We are not taking school or office supplies at this time. Please review our current list of accepted items and, as always, call to schedule a donation of 5 or more boxes. Donations of fewer than 5 boxes are accepted Tue-Fri 9am-2pm.
New Saturday Hours at Kane County Recycling Center in Batavia
The Kane County Recycling Center at 517 E. Fabyan Parkway in Batavia is now open Saturdays from 8am-1pm as part of a pilot. Click here for info on what is accepted, additional hours and locations.
Recycling Events
Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
Ongoing:
SCARCE-LY USED Books & Records @ SCARCE Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-12pm
Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies to our Rescue Projects this month!
  • Ceannate Corp - Buffalo Grove
  • Whole Foods - Wheaton
Special THANK YOU to our December Volunteers
-----Western Cook County Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities - Our volunteer program is currently on hold.
Our Reuse Center 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 round of applause!
Helpful Links
Green Bulletin | SCARCE | 630.545.9710 | [email protected] | www.scarce.org
This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded by the DuPage County Board, Daniel Cronin, Chairman, the DuPage County Environmental Committee, Sheila Rutledge, Chair, and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair.
SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Jan Breyne, Laura Fanning, Heather Goudreau, Carrie Horak,
Bev Jaszczurowski, Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, & Rose Naseef
Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
(School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education)
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.