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Go Green Greater La Grange Monthly Update:
August 2026
"Recycle the present, save the future." ~Anonymous
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Tip of the Month: Energy Saving Tips
Windows create a greenhouse effect in our homes, allowing the sun's rays to enter and trapping warm air inside. Using blinds or curtains, especially on southern- and western-facing windows, can block the strong summer rays and avoid additional radiative heating. This will reduce the need for air-conditioning or indoor cooling.
Click here for more energy saving tips!
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President's Note:
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer while also staying safe with the rise in severe weather events throughout our region. Whether it be excessive rainfall, prolonged droughts, high winds or decreased air quality, this summer has definitely shown us Mother Nature's extremes. These events can cause uncertainty and anxiety as we adapt to our changing climate. If you find yourself struggling to understand or accept the changes around you, I encourage you to attend our Summer Sustainability Expo on Saturday, August 8th, 11:00am-2:00pm. During this expo we will be hosting two small group discussions known as Climate Cafes where we have trained professionals on-site to specifically discuss the impacts of climate anxiety. You can also get to know the many organizations making an impact in our communities' environment and see how you can get involved in an area of stewardship which speaks to you.
If you are interested in volunteering at this year's Sustainable Summer Expo please sign-up here!
Have a great week!
Warmest regards,
Alexandria Zuck
Board President
Go Green Greater LaGrange
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Weathering the Storm: Managing Climate Anxiety
As extreme weather becomes more common, it’s natural to feel anxious or overwhelmed. Mental health experts remind us that climate anxiety is a normal response to caring about our communities and the environment. While staying informed is important, taking breaks from the news, spending time in nature, and focusing on meaningful local actions. Some ideas for what you can do; plant native species, reduce waste, or volunteer. All of these independent actions can help transform your worry into purpose. By balancing self care with positive action, we can build both personal resilience and stronger, more sustainable communities.
Click here to learn more!
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2026 Upcoming Meeting Dates:
-Special Collections Committee Meeting: Monday September 17, 2026 7:00PM (TBD)
-Board Meeting: Thursday October 15, 2026 7:00PM (La Grange Park Public Library)
2026 Collection and Program Dates:
-Sustainable Summer Expo: August 8, 2026 (Plymouth Place, Dole Hall)
-Planting for Pollinators Presentation: September 9, 2026 (La Grange Park Public Library)
-Native Plant Sale: September 19th, 2026 (Memorial Park Pavilion)
-Pop-Up Event at the La Grange Farmers Market: October 8, 2026
-Community Forum: Thursday October 15, 2026 (La Grange Park Public Library)
-Fall Clothing & Textile Take-Back: October 25th, 2026 (St. Michael's Lutheran)
-Community Boot & Shoe Share: November 14th, 2026 (La Grange Public Library)
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Electronics Recycling and Paper Shredding Event
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, 150 S. Ashland Ave, La Grange
Cook County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) will be hosting an electronics recycling and paper shredding event in the First Presbyterian Church La Grange parking lot on Saturday, September 19.
- Electronics and small appliances: computers, computer accessories, gaming devices, televisions, mobile devices, printers, air conditioners, microwaves, small kitchen appliances, etc. CHaRM disposes of these sustainably through certified recycling partners. Since these devices contain toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, they are banned from landfills.
- Paper Shredding: This is for household documents (not businesses). On‑site document destruction ensures confidential materials are shredded securely. All shredded paper is recycled, which saves trees and reduces methane emissions from landfills.
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Crafters for Climate:
Let's "make-it" happen!
Makers, we are looking for ideas about what our next workshop should be.
If you are a maker and would like to share your craft please reach out to us directly at:
info@gogreenglg.org
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Know your impact:
Use this interactive calculator to
learn your carbon footprint and actions you can take to reduce it.
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Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act Democrats in Congress passed last year, there are new energy cost-saving benefits available right now, including:
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30% back for the cost of many clean energy upgrades to your home, including solar panels, water heaters, and battery storage, no matter the price.
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Up to $1,200 to add insulation, install new exterior windows and doors, or other improvements that increase the energy efficiency of your home.
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Up to $2,000 for a new heat pump (which can provide efficient air conditioning and heating) as well as a heat-pump water heater.
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30% off the cost of installing a new electric vehicle charger if you live in a rural or underserved community.
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Go Green LaGrange had the pleasure of listening to this Webinar hosted by the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability on Recycling guidelines in Cook County. We hope to share it with any interested participants. Click here if you are interested in hearing more!
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Looking to continue cleaning out your home or business in an environmentally conscious manner? Consider this:
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials
Cook County has partnered with South Suburban College to create the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM Center). This is a permanent recycling drop-off facility available to Cook County residents that helps divert millions of pounds of waste and other hard-to-recycle items from regional landfills and water systems. More information about materials accepted at the CHaRM Center can be found below.
This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Location
15800 State St., South Holland, IL 60473. The drop-off site is located on north side of campus in the overflow parking lot. Enter at traffic signal on State Street.
Hours
- Every Tuesday: 7 a.m. - noon
- Every Thursday: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- 2nd Saturday every month: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (TVs accepted during Saturday hours only)
Click here for a more comprehensive list of accepted materials!
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Interested in how to turn your parkway into a gardening opportunity!
Two experienced native plant gardeners will give you a virtual guided tour of their stunning parkway gardens and share tips, challenges and successes in turning this challenging area into habitat.Go Green LaGrange had the pleasure of listening to this Webinar hosted by the West Cook Wild Ones. We hope to share it with any interested participants. Click here if you are interested in hearing more!
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Green Infrastructure and Flood Mitigation
“We will have a bigger impact if we think systemically,” Frisbie explains in her one-on-one interview with WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons this week. Spearheading the Greater Chicago Watershed Alliance, Friends and Watershed Alliance members, are pushing for substantial shifts in watershed governance and infrastructural development and maintenance.
The use of nature-based green infrastructure leverages the inherent intelligence and resiliency of nature to develop future-focused strategies for just and sustainable living. Developing tactics for educating local leaders, planning and policy experts, and the public, the Watershed Alliance urges that we think with nature, rather than against it.
Click here to learn more!
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Interested in learning more about Composting?
Don't worry if you missed it you can still click here to learn more!
Join Mark Teegen, owner of IFSCC member organization Teegen Compost, and learn about his community garden and backyard compost services. Mark takes trimmings from gardens and shreds them to return the material to an available bin onsite which completes the composting process locally. Mark will highlight the benefits and circularity of a typical compost season for residents and community gardeners, Teegen Compost Style!
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Save the Monarchs, Heres How:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has added migratory monarch butterflies to their list of Threatened Species. This means Monarch butterflies are now in danger of extinction. In fact, 99.9% of the Western monarch butterfly population has disappeared since 1980.
We all can help by planting milkweed which is the monarch caterpillar's only source of food. And since Fall is the best time to plant milkweed, hurry and visit mwrd.org/save-monarchs to take the pledge to receive free milkweed seeds to help save monarchs.
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How to Donate
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Donate cash or checks at our in-person events.
- Mail checks to:
Go Green LaGrange,
PO Box 11
La Grange, IL 60525
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