Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
October 2020
October is National Energy Awareness Month
Residential energy use accounts for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. With the profusion of electronics, smart devices, and electric appliances in our homes, vampire power loads are growing - and it's costing us and the planet. Now that's scary!

Take a few minutes this month to root out the energy vampires in your home - no garlic required.
Sat, Nov 7th - multiple locations
Drop off your pumpkins for composting at a Pumpkin Smash location near you! Composting is nature's form of recycling - it protects clean water, restores soil health, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. So don't trash your pumpkin - smash it!

This event is outdoors. Please wear a mask and mind your distance. Remove decorations such as yarn, candles, and stickers prior to drop-off.

This month we highlight the Lisle Library District. This past winter SCARCE worked with the library on their Earth Flag then the stay-at-home order delayed everything. Finally we were able to honor them for their great work!
Did you know that too many leaves in our waterways can make them unhealthy and cause excess algae growth? Do your part to protect clean water and reduce flooding - keep leaves away from storm drains as you tidy your yard this fall.
Check out our new short video in Spanish on the importance of protecting clean water and the storm drain medallion project.

SCARCE's storm drain medallion project helps community members of all ages protect clean water. Volunteers can install educational markers on drains along their local streets. These medallions are an eye-catching reminder that our storm drains go straight to local waterways - and putting anything besides water down the drain pollutes our water.
Dispose of PPE Properly
The recycling industry needs your help to make sure the recycling stream is free of contaminants. The industry is a critical piece in making products and shipping supplies.

The wastewater industry is also being adversely impacted by wipes flushed down the toilet which causes costly system backups and failures. Please do your part and dispose of PPE properly.
DuPage County Stormwater Management Offers Free Webinars
Join SWM and the Conservation Foundation to expand your knowledge this month!
Season 3 of our casual and informative podcast is out now! New episodes are released every Monday. Listen on scarce.org or wherever you get podcasts. Already a fan of the show? Give us a rating on iTunes and share it with a friend!
SCARCE is collecting gently-used children's Halloween costumes for kids ages 3-13 in partnership with the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Costumes must be clean and in good, reusable condition. Drop-off costumes at SCARCE during our donation hours through Friday, October 23rd.
Cold weather is coming! Remember to disconnect and empty your rain barrel.
Wanted: Flower Bulbs for Hope's Garden
Are you dividing your tulip, daffodil, or hyacinth bulbs? Donate your extras to the Hope's Garden project at the DuPage County Jail! Hope’s Garden was created as an opportunity for inmates to learn new skills while gaining the therapeutic benefits of working in a garden and helping their community. Contact us to donate your bulbs.
Winter Deicing Workshops for Contractors, Public Agencies
Learn Best Management Practices for deicing this winter to save on salt and reduce chloride pollution in waterways while keeping walkways and driving areas safe. Two sessions, offered by The DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup.
Your local Subaru dealer may accept empty snack bags, coffee pods and more for recycling thanks to a partnership with Terracycle. Find your local participating dealer, call to be sure they are actively accepting items and drop off during business hours.
Do you have spare eyeglass cases lying around? Discover a new use for them with some of these useful ideas. They aren't just for glasses anymore!
Our used book and record shop is now open every Saturday from 9am-12pm! We've got great deals on vinyl records, adult fiction, non-fiction and kids activity books. Most items are $4 or less.
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 Reuse Center this month!
  • The CARA Group - Oak Brook
  • Domtar - Addison
  • Keson LLC - Aurora
  • NOW Foods - Bloomingdale
  • Viking Electric - Addison
  • Whole Foods - Wheaton
On-going Volunteer Opportunities
  • SCARCE Reuse Center 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 - 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
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, Liz Chaplin, 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.