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Go Green Greater La Grange Monthly Update:
February 2026
"Recycle the present, save the future." ~Anonymous
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Tip of the Month:
Spring cleaning season is here! As you sort through closets, drawers, and storage bins, set aside textiles, shoes, and old electronics you no longer need to get ready for our Spring events, see flyers below.
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President's Note:
This weekend, I had the privilege of attending a conference where I was surrounded by advocates for conservation and open spaces from all across the state. It was a truly inspiring experience and amazing to see how communities of all shapes and sizes were working to further these initiatives.
Climate Change is not a dirty word, getting creative with climate solutions can be beautiful for not only our neighborhoods, but, for our minds and bodies as well. One of the most intriguing initiatives I learned about during this conference was The Conservation Foundation's Nature Rx Programs. I strongly encourage you all, if able, to take one of these opportunities to reconnect with our planet and recharge your "why" for doing this invaluable work.
As weather patterns shift, we have the unique ability to offer innovative solutions where we can heal our bodies and our planet at the same time.
These quiet colder months offer the perfect time of year to start planning! Sick of the constant flooding, consider where you might be able to install some rain barrels. Or maybe you are looking to make your house pop this spring amongst a seemingly endless sea of green lawns? Why not add in that native garden you always wanted but didn't know where to put it? Does the size of your utility bill bring you monthly dread? Consider planting some trees to significantly reduce your homes heating and cooling needs.
We here at Go Green Greater La Grange understand these solutions can seem daunting at first, but we are here to help. As our own capacity continues to grow, we are happy to help direct you to local organizations and resources to help make these projects a reality in your own home.
Warmest regards,
Alexandria Zuck
Board President
Go Green Greater LaGrange
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Illinois Battery Recycling Law Takes Effect
January 1, 2026 marked the start of a new statewide battery recycling law in Illinois, requiring battery manufacturers to fund recycling programs so consumers can recycle used batteries at no cost. The law makes battery recycling easier and safer for residents while protecting the environment and reducing fire risks in the waste stream.
Why this matters:
- Batteries contain valuable metals that can be reused when recycled, lowering the need for new mining and reducing environmental impacts.
- Some batteries (especially lithium-ion) can cause fires or pollution if thrown in regular trash or recycling bins, so proper collection is critical.
How to participate:
- You cannot recycle batteries in your household recycling cart — they must be taken to special drop-off locations.
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Visit Call2Recycle’s Illinois locator tool to find a nearby collection site by entering your city or ZIP code and selecting the battery type you are recycling.
- When preparing batteries for drop-off, protect terminals with clear tape, small bags, or similar means to reduce fire risk during transport.
This new law is a big step toward safer, more sustainable battery disposal for Illinois communities and aligns with broader efforts to reduce waste and environmental harm.
Click here to read more!
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2026 Upcoming Meeting Dates:
-Board Meeting: Thursday July 16th, 2026 7:00PM (La Grange Public Library)
-Board Meeting: Thursday October 15, 2026 7:00PM (La Grange Park Public Library)
2026 Collection and Program Dates:
-Spring Clothing & Textile Take-Back: March 15, 2026 (St. Michael's Lutheran)
-Earth Day Seed Exchange: April 11, 2026 (La Grange Public Library)
-Spring Electronics Recycling: May 9th , 2026 (La Grange Park Public Works)
-Sandal and Shoe Share: June 6, 2026 (La Grange Public Library)
-Annual Going Green Fundraiser: June 20, 2026 (Milk Money Brewing Company)
-Sustainable Summer Expo: August 8, 2026 (Plymouth Place, Dole Hall)
-Native Plant Sale: September (TBD)
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Navigating Solar Options presented by Citizens Utility Board (CUB)
Wednesday, March 25 at 7pm, La Grange Village Hall auditorium
Learn about solar and the benefits of clean energy:
- How solar panels work with your home and the grid
- An overview of state and federal incentives
- How consumers can benefit from renewable energy
- Programs like Community Solar and Illinois Solar for All
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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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