December 2023

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS · BARRINGTON · BUFFALO GROVE · ELK GROVE VILLAGE EVANSTON · GLENCOE · GLENVIEW · HOFFMAN ESTATES · INVERNESS KENILWORTH · LINCOLNWOOD · MORTON GROVE · MOUNT PROSPECT · NILES PALATINE · PARK RIDGE · PROSPECT HEIGHTS · ROLLING MEADOWS · SKOKIE SOUTH BARRINGTON · WHEELING · WILMETTE · WINNETKA

Have your lights lost their twinkle?

Year after year we find ourselves testing bulbs and replacing fuses, when our efforts are not successful, we end up asking how to properly dispose of those frustrating strings of tangled mess?

String lights can NOT go into your recycle bin. However there are avenues to have the material recycled and avoid the landfill!

Elgin Recycling offers SWANCC communities the opportunity to participate in collection efforts. Give your city or village hall a call to see if your community chose to participate. If they don't, bring 'em directly to Elgin Recycling. They collect string lights year round, and have 4 facilities to make your drop off convenient. Still have a question? Call them at

847-383-0634

Kudos Corner

Kudos to the Southminster Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights

Not only did they raise the bar,

they set it high as an example the rest of us can look up to!

Several months ago SWANCC was approached by a member of Southminster to facilitate an education program on recycling correctly. Recycling was not a part of the practice in the church or classrooms. They wanted everyone to gain an understanding of why recycling right is important.

SWANCC staff worked with the church on creating a small recorded presentation and Southminster offered several watch sessions to their congregation members. The information was well received and their core group of sustainability members grew to be quite a positive, influential, force! As a result, recycling is now a part of daily life within the church!

What did they do to make this happen?

They worked hard to communicate information and gain support of congregation members, administration, staff, teachers, and students. Once that spark was lit, they hosted a measurement week and saved all recyclable material from the entire facility for one week. They then spoke to their hauler to determine dumpster sizes, a collection schedule, etc.

After an inventory of the building to see how many blue recycling bins would be needed, additional bins were ordered and placed appropriately. They had signage made and rolled out their cooperation campaign - which included meetings with custodial staff. They have committed to monitoring the bins several times a week to make sure efforts are completed correctly and will continue reeducating when needed.

WOW!!! Congratulations again to Southminster Presbyterian Church!

A Commonly Asked Question - Answered

Foil paper, ribbons, bows, and bags...Ooh my! NO, NO, NO!

What do we do with all that holiday wrapping?

One of the most common mistakes this time of year is tossing garbage bags full of wrapping paper into the recycle bin. While most wrapping paper is recyclable, placing it all in a bag removes it from the stream. Remember, everything that goes into your recycle bin MUST BE LOOSE - NO BAGS!

Think twice when purchasing wrapping paper. In order to qualify for recycling, it must be 100% paper. So the rolls that sparkle, or have shiny foil mixed in are NOT eligible for the recycle bin.

We also need to watch out for the ribbon and bows that comes along with the wrapping paper, as those are tanglers. They get caught up in the mechanics, bog down the system, and can shut down the entire sorting line.

Lastly, SWANCC's November newsletter addressed the reason to flatten boxes. Did you know this is the same for paper? Paper has the best chance of being sorted properly if it is folded, not crumpled into a ball.

So, this holiday season, remember:

No foil or sparkly paper in recycling
No ribbons, string, or bows in recycling
No bags - loose material only in recycling
Flatten, don't crumble the paper

Recycle correctly this season and ALWAYS!

Available 24/7 - SWANCC's Digital

Reuse and Recycling Directory

The digital Reuse and Recycling Directory lists reuse opportunities for books, clothing, household items, office equipment, sporting goods, toys, and other materials. This guide also provides information on various aspects of recycling and waste, featuring, appliances, batteries, construction materials, electronics, office equipment, cartridges, metals, motor oil, and many other items.

Type what you are looking for in the bar titled "What are you Recycling?", then click the Search button for results.

Click to Access the Directory

Seasonal Shredding Events

SWANCC's seasonal, community, one-day document destruction events

have concluded for 2023.

However, please participate in our two upcoming winter events.

Glenview Transfer Station

3 Providence Way, Des Plaines

January 20, 2024 9:00-11:30 am

March 9, 2024 9:00-11:30 am

For more information and guidance for accepted material please visit SWANCC's document destruction webpage.

Electronics Recycling Drop-Off Locations

Glenview Transfer Station

3 Providence Way

Des Plaines

Saturdays: 9 am to 11:30 am

OPEN Year-round (except Saturdays following a holiday when garbage collection is delayed)

Hoffman Estates Village Hall

1900 Hassell Rd

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Mount Prospect Public Works

1700 W Central Rd

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Winnetka Public Works

1390 Willow Rd

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

OPEN April 6, 2023- November 16, 2023

Other Special Materials -

SWANCC Member Communities offer programs for various materials that are reusable, recyclable, or need to be disposed of in an environmentally-safe manner.

These include:

fluorescent bulbs
mercury containing devices
medications
sharps
batteries

Please contact your community to confirm participation before dropping off items.

Where to Take Household Chemicals

Please contact facilities before dropping off materials.

Four permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facilities are sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are available to all Illinois residents. Questions about the IEPA's one-day or long-term collections can be directed to the Waste Reduction Unit at (217) 524-3300.

Business, institutional, or school waste is not accepted at these facilities.

Chicago's Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility

1150 N North Branch Street

Tuesdays: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm

Thursdays: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

1st Saturday of the month: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

(312) 744-3060

cityofchicago.org

Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility

156 Fort Hill Drive

9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday