Looking for a project that will get you outdoors this fall? Need a group activity for a garden club or scout group?
Help SCARCE place Storm Drain Medallions in locations across the county. The medallions remind citizens not to pour dangerous chemicals or place any items into storm sewers.
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Letter I is for Inkjets
ABC's of Smart Recycling
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Electronic waste is a growing problem and inkjet and printer cartridges contribute to the amount of e-waste going to landfills.
The good news is many can be refilled and reused and others can be recycled. Join the circular economy and find out more in this month's ABC's of Smart Recycling blog post: I is for Inkjet.
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Little Things Add Up - Join Our Collection Team |
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Can Connectors, Keys, and Bread Tags -- Bring them to SCARCE!
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The local brewing industry is using hard plastic can connectors to protect aquatic life, which was threatened by the soft plastic rings. The new style of connectors is tougher and can be reused again and again! Read more here.
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Recycling your keys has many environmental benefits. Learn about SCARCE's Keys for Conservation program and bring old keys from your home, office, car, or luggage to SCARCE for recycling. |
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Bread tags are those square clips used to seal bags around a loaf of bread, bagels, or produce. They are not recyclable in your curbside recycling bin, so bring them to SCARCE as part of our special collection project. |
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Glen Ellyn Public Library
collects items for SCARCE
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Thank you to the library for collecting bread tags and crayons from their patrons. The collection helped fund a child's wheelchair and contributed to the creation of hundreds of Super Crayons, some of which were shipped last month to children in Ukraine. |
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Learn how to set up backyard composting or indoor vermicomposting. We'll demonstrate various compost bin options, so get ready to save money, conserve water, and create a rich soil amendment.
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We're celebrating our 32nd anniversary with behind-the-scenes tours that show you how we reuse and recycle. Bring a friend and stop by any time between 9am and 1pm.
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Eco-Extraordinaire
West Chicago Park District has completed one of the first ground-mounted solar fields in DuPage County. Spread over several acres of vacant land, the array generates 80% of the local community center's electric energy.
Extra care was taken to protect endangered Blanding's turtles using special fencing and native plantings for pollinators.
Way to brighten our day!
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Fall is for Planting: Think OAKtober |
Because of the significance of oak trees in our region, Illinois has deemed October to be OAKtober: Oak Awareness Month. The oak is the king of biodiversity, with up to 2,300 species relying upon oaks for food and shelter, including birds, mammals, and lichen. However, at least 1/3 of all oak species are threatened with extinction.
There are ways to help, such as planting an oak tree in your yard. Visit the Chicago Region Trees Initiative for more ideas on how to help protect these vital natural resources. |
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It's scary how much fun you can have at a Pumpkin Smash! |
Last year's Pumpkin Smash was a HIT!
Pumpkin Smash events keep pumpkins out of landfills so they can be turned into compost. Over 242 tons of pumpkins were kept out of landfills last year, protecting water and feeding our soil.
We can beat that record this year--with YOUR help. This year's Pumpkin Smash will take place on Saturday, November 5th.
Let's SMASH our record again!
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Naperville Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility Update |
Due to a fire at the Illinois EPA's processing plant, the Naperville HHW facility continues to be unable to accept certain items at this time. Wait times have also increased.
Temporarily, they can NOT accept: pesticides, fertilizers, aerosol cans, household cleaners and asbestos materials. For a full list of what is and is NOT accepted, check the Naperville HHW Facility website. |
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Poster Contest to Raise Awareness about Composting |
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Each year, to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), the Compost Research & Education Foundation holds a poster contest, which is open to anyone in the world age 14 or older. There is also a video contest for students in grades 4-8. Deadline to enter is November 1st by midnight (ET).
The poster must include the following:
International Compost Awareness Week
May 7 – 13, 2023
For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food…Compost!
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Roselle Recycles 8:30am-12noon |
Wheaton Electronics, Textile, Scrap Metal, Liquid Cooking Oil Collection 9:00am-12noon |
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Lisle Electronics and Textile Recycling 8:00am-12noon |
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Winfield Township Recycling Extravaganza 9:00am-12noon |
Hanover Park Recycles! 9:00am-1:00pm |
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Milton Township Recycling Event 9:00am-12noon |
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Bloomingdale Township Electronics and Textile Recycling 8:00am-12noon |
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Wheaton Electronics, Textile, Scrap Metal, Liquid Cooking Oil Collection 9:00am-12noon |
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Car Seat Trade-In at Target
September 11 - 24
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Twice a year, you can bring an old, expired or damaged car seat to Target and recycle it to redeem a coupon on your Target app or Target.com/circle for 20% off one car seat, one stroller or select baby gear.
Materials from the old car seats are recycled by Target’s partner, Waste Management, to create new products such as pallets and plastic buckets, and construction materials such as steel beams and carpet padding.
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Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!
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Talk to homeowners and businesses who are using solar!
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Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to these businesses who donated services and/or supplies this month!
- Keson - Aurora
- Ryan Shreve, Revo Wired Webservices
- Whole Cubes - Addison
- Whole Foods - Wheaton
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Thank you to Effie, who helped at a recent shredding event in West Chicago. She is seen here with a visitor who biked to the event with his paper in a backpack. Way to reduce your carbon footprint! |
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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, Rachel Carlson, Jasmine Flores, Heather Goudreau, Bev Jaszczurowski,
Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, Rose Naseef, Carina Ruscitti & Julie Wachowski
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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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