Green Bulletin: February 2023

Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.

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February 2023

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SCARCE

Open House

Saturday, February 4th

9am-12pm

Come and see how SCARCE was able to recycle over 688,500 pounds of resources, reuse 255,114 pounds of materials, and serve 4,889 teachers in 2022!

Drop in to get a free behind-the-scenes tour and learn about our educational programs too. Read more here.

Open to the public. No registration required.

ABCs of Recycling

N is for Non-ferrous metals

What are non-ferrous metals and how do they get recycled? Check out our latest blog to learn more about these valuable natural resources.

Miss Thailand wore this unique dress made from discarded aluminum non-ferrous soda tabs. Read how her dress pays tribute to her parents.

Downsize and Declutter without the Dumpster

Community Program

Saturday, February 11th 10-11:30am

Moving? Starting your spring cleaning early? SCARCE can help! Learn tips on where to donate or recycle your stuff to declutter in a way that makes it easier to be earth-friendly!

Read more and register here.

Be Wise about Water

Recycle Your Cooking Oil

Protect our water by keeping used cooking oil out of the drain. Save your vegetable cooking oil in a container and bring it to a local collection site. It will be recycled into biodiesel!

Please note that the Woodridge wastewater treatment plant is not currently accepting oil due to construction.

Capture Fibers from your Washing Machine

Did you know that fibers from your clothes enter the water every time you wash them? To prevent pollution of our waterways, you can use a Guppyfriend bag or Cora Ball -- and it will also keep your sewer pipes from getting clogged!

Some good news on this front: There is a proposed law (SB100) that will require state-owned washing machines to have filters that capture the fibers.

Know Your Water Footprint

The first step to conserving water is to know how much you use. Find out by using this water calculator.

Then, start saving water at home. Replace old toilets, faucets, washing machines, and dishwashers with more efficient models. Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute, so consider an upgrade there too. According to the EPA, the average American family spends over a $1000 on water in a year. Using WaterSense labeled fixtures can save both money and water.

Learn more ways to save water with the U.S. EPA's WaterSense program.

Spring kicks off the Recycling Extravaganza season!

In 2023, there are lots of opportunities to get household items reused and recycled. In addition to monthly and quarterly collections, many organizations plan larger annual events during the warmer months. Visit our Recycling Events webpage to find an event near you.

Reminder: Due to a fire at the IEPA’s waste processing plant, the Naperville Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility temporarily cannot accept some items. Visit the HHW website for details.

It's a good time to plan your garden

Seed Savers and the University of Illinois Extension offer basic planning guidelines for vegetable gardens.

For native plants, Wild Ones Greater DuPage Chapter offers this list of easy to grow native plants and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is hosting an Intro to Native Plants Webinar on February 23rd.

Whether you grow vegetables or landscape with native plants, planning now will help you to make the most of the growing season.

High School Sustainable Design Challenge

Tuesday, April 18

Registration now OPEN!

Did you know Illinois was second in the country for green building in 2022, according to an annual U.S. Green Building Council ranking?

SCARCE invites students at DuPage County High Schools to join the green building movement and participate in our 17th annual design challenge. Students can get details and register their team here.

Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!

Programs at SCARCE

February 4

Open House at SCARCE 9am-12noon

February 11

Downsize & Declutter without the Dumpster at SCARCE 10-11:30am

February 18

World Thinking Day Program at SCARCE 10am-12noon

For Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

February 20

Presidents' Day - SCARCE Open

Reuse Center and SCARCE-LY USED Books & Records 9am-4:30pm

February 20

Attainable Sustainables Mini Workshop at SCARCE 9:30-11:30am

For DuPage County educators

March 3

Attainable Sustainables Institute Day Class

For DuPage County educators

Programs hosted by Community Partners

February 11

Wheaton Monthly Recycling Event 9am-12noon

February 15

Plants, Pollinators, and Prayers Bloomingdale Public Library 7pm

River Prairie Group of the Sierra Club and DuPage Monarch Project

February 23

Native Landscaping: Intro to Native Gardening (virtual) 7-8:30pm

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

February 25

Wild Things Conference Rosemont 9am-6pm

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves

February 25

Seed Share with Sustain DuPage Wheaton Public Library 1-3pm

SCARCE Programs for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

SCARCE Fun Patch will be provided!

World Thinking Day

February 18th 10am-12noon

Scouts will learn about 3Rs through hands-on activities, recycled papermaking, and a tour of the SCARCE facility. Register here.

Developmental Disability Awareness Day

March 22nd 5-7pm

Scouts will learn how individuals with visual impairments adapt to their environments. They will use a Braille machine and experience a special visual simulation. This unique program will be presented by educators specializing in the fields of Children with Visual Impairments and Orientation and Mobility. Scouts will also participate in a crayon sorting activity and learn about SCARCE's Super Crayon Project. Register here.