Use your individual power and join a global movement by pledging to take part in Plastic Free July. This challenge asks you to take action by giving up at least one type of single-use plastic for the month of July. This can be done at home, school, work, or beyond. The idea is that once you figure out an alternative to one thing, you will quickly find others. Finding replacements for these types of plastic is more important than ever after all of the waste created during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Take the pledge and find lots of useful tips on the Plastic Free July Website. |
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We are pleased to announce that a new, permanent Recycling Center has opened in Aurora to serve Kane County. This new center is located at 911 N Lake St., Aurora, IL and is open M-F from 8am-4pm. Accepted items include appliances (no Freon containing devices), electronics (view list), scrap metal, textiles & clothing. TVs and Monitors do have a cost -- $25 for screens under 21 in., $35 for 21 in. and over. You can pay online in advance or on-site with cash or card. |
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Join host Kevin Crist of Intrinsic Landscaping to learn about new green technologies that can be installed in your home to improve water quality. Sponsored by DuPage County Stormwater Management and The Conservation Foundation, this webinar is open to the public but requires advanced registration. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, July 21, from 1pm to 2pm. Register here to secure your spot! |
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Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, or "quats" have been used at a higher rate during the pandemic. Quats can cause serious health problems, including triggering skin & eye irritation and asthma. Children are considered more vulnerable to the potential side effects of products containing quats, so parents and schools should avoid these at all costs. Other cleaners are just as effective against Covid-19 and will not harm others. Products on the EPA's List N are approved to kill the coronavirus, but take care to select those labeled safe for humans and the environment. |
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Besides books, SCARCE offers many special collections for specific items. Two of these collections, bread tags and holiday lights, had huge totals this past month:
At the end of June, SCARCE weighed our large collection of bread tags, resulting in 121.9 pounds! This is equal to about 16,000 bread tags collected for Danielle Cares for Chairs. Your bread tag donations contribute to the 260,000 bread tags needed to purchase a basic wheelchair for a child. Thank you to The Lane School for your massive donation and to everyone who continues to donate them -- little things add up!
Across DuPage County, the holiday light collection for the 2020-2021 holiday season totaled over 33,661 pounds. Thank you to our partner Elgin Recycling for helping us on this great project. Lights can be donated at SCARCE year-round.
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Help Protect Opossums & Reduce Tick Populations
The National Wildlife Federation has put out a call for donations to protect awesome opossums! Help spread the word that opossums are not dangerous pests. In fact, they are nearly resistant to rabies and are not inclined to attack humans. Opossums are a natural cleaning service -- they eat things like rotting food and dead animals, in addition to ticks! Record numbers of ticks are being reported this summer, and opossums can consume around 5,000 in a single season. Therefore, let's all do our part to protect these furry friends by not poisoning them or calling to have
them removed from our gardens. They're here to help!
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The First United Methodist Church of West Chicago was proudly awarded the DuPage County water quality flag. Their initiatives included installing rain gardens, applying storm drain medallions, and eliminating the use of pesticides and fertilizers on church grounds. Keep up the great work! |
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Jane Hiller, a former Elmhurst Resident, has won the 2020 South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award. Jane was the first teacher SCARCE Founder Kay McKeen ever hired and is now the Education Director with Sonoco Recycling in Columbia, South Carolina. Nominees for this award are judged on excellence in innovation, leadership, and accomplishments that influence positive changes affecting the natural environment. Congrats, Jane! |
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Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
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Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies to our Rescue Projects this month!
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A Special THANK YOU to Girl Scout Troop 55355
Lombard Girl Scout Troop 55355 did a supply collection for SCARCE last month. This group was comprised of 6th graders from a variety of schools. After dropping off their 12+ boxes, they had a tour of SCARCE to learn about the programs we offer and the rescue projects we head up. Thank you for running this drive for us!
Volunteer Opportunities
We now have opportunities for individuals that wish to volunteer with SCARCE. Volunteers must be 18 or older. We are also accepting high school students willing to commit at least 10 hours for the summer. To learn more, contact Rose, our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].
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Our Reuse Center couldn't function without the 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!
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Be a part of this initiative!
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Support SCARCE while you shop!
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Report stormwater issues online.
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Recycling info, trail guide, and more!
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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. |
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SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Jan Breyne, Heather Goudreau, Bev Jaszczurowski,
Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, Grecia Landin, Rose Naseef, & Olivia Ryan
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Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
(School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education)
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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.
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