Living Green with the Library

Environmental impact of tap water vs. bottled water

2009-12-08T13:07:00.001-06:00

The Orgeon Department of Environmental Quality has released an interesting new report:

"DEQ has completed a study that compares a wide range of environmental impacts (including greenhouse gas emissions) of drinking water from the tap, 5-gallon reusables, and single-use bottles. It compares the environmental impacts of tap water (“reduce”) against the impacts of bottled water (“recycle” and “dispose”). The study confirms that while recycling bottles is environmentally preferable to disposing of them, buying bottled water and recycling the bottles is not the best environmental choice. Drinking water from the tap (waste prevention) typically has substantially lower impacts in most categories of environmental impact."

Their press release sums up their findings:

"Analysis of delivering drinking water shows that tap water is a far better environmental choice than recycling single-use bottles

A study commissioned by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to assess drinking water delivery systems helps bolster the principle that “reducing first, then recycling” is the best environmental path to follow."

Going green for the holidays

2009-12-04T15:15:00.000-06:00

It's easier than you might think. The staff at SCARCE offer these suggestions for going green for the holidays.

The holidays can be such a crazy time of year with everyone running to and fro trying to find the perfect "everything" for the people they care about. It is the perfect time to remember to care about the environment as well.

Here are some simple tips to give a thoughtful gift and reduce your impact on the environment - every little bit makes a difference:

If you must have a real tree, make it a live one that can be re-planted when you are finished.

Bring your own reusable bags as you do your shopping - it saves oil.

If you need new Christmas lights, buy LED bulbs - they are safer because they stay cool and use far less energy!

Use Alternative Forms of Wrapping Paper (i.e.: reusable bags, the comics, a pretty scarf, a tea/bath/kitchen towel that can be part of the gift, creative wraps) Regular wrapping paper is NOT recyclable.

Use last year's Christmas cards as Gift Tags

Try to buy gifts with as little packaging as possible - packaging is just wasted natural resources

Avoid using paper/Styrofoam plates - reusable dinnerware or bio-degradable/compostable plates (if you have a compost pile) are best

Consider giving a gift that keeps the spirit of the season all year - in someone else's name:

donate to a charity (SCARCE is a good charity!)

adopt an animal at the zoo

plant a tree(s)

Give a gift with an Environmental Purpose that they will really use:

Eco-friendly clothing/accessories made from sustainable or re-purposed materials

funky, cool reusable bags & totes

Reusable, BPA-free water bottles (stainless steel & aluminum are best)

Low flow shower head

CFLs or LED light bulbs

Shower/water filters which remove harmful substances

buy items coming from fair trade sources who offer fair wages to third world countries & include a little tag explaining

For other eco-friendly gift ideas, check out the SCARCE Green Product Guide

Recycle your Christmas lights

2009-11-30T15:44:00.000-06:00

Don't want to throw your old incandescent lights in the trash? Send them to Holidayleds.com and they will recycle them for you and send you a coupon for 15% off.

The program will conclude at the end of February 2010.

From their website:

What do we do with the lights?

When we receive your lights for recycling we will remove them from the package and recycle the box. The lights will be processed and any material that cannot be recycled (i.e. loose bulbs)is discarded. Once we have collected a substantial number of sets we take them to a 3rd party recycling facility located in Jackson, MI. The recycling company puts the lights through a commercial shredder, which chops the lights up into little pieces. The pieces are then further processed and sorted into the various components that make up the lights (pvc, glass, copper.) The materials are separated and transported to a region center for further processing. In some cases, the pvc cannot be recycled.

Why should I participate in the program?

Its better than throwing them in the trash and if you participate we will email you a coupon for 15% off anything on our site.

Where should I send my lights for recycling?

HolidayLEDs.com
Attn: Recycling Program
118 Rosehill Dr.
Suite 1
Jackson, MI 49202

What should information should I include?

The name and email address (clearly printed) of the participant. All coupons will be emailed so we must have an email address.

How should I package the lights?

Please DO NOT:

1. Include any packing material or anything other than the lights themselves

2. Send the lights in outer packaging such as retail boxes

3. Include any apparatus used to wind up or store the lights

4. Use any size box that is larger than what is needed to accommodate the lights.

5. Put your light sets in plastic bags or any other interior packaging.

Please DO:

1. Use cardboard boxes or other packaging that can easily be recycled.

2. Coordinate with your friends, neighbors, co-works, social groups, church groups, or other organizations when possible to collect lights and send in one bulk shipment (this reduces shipping costs for everyone and reduces environmental impact of shipping.)

3. Compact your light sets into the smallest space possible.

GreenerChoices.org

2009-11-24T09:03:00.009-06:00

Confused about which products really are best for the environment? Cut through the hype at GreenerChoices.org.

This website is published by Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports. They aim to: "address the lack of credible, in-depth information on green products, services, and lifestyles, especially on the Web."

RECYCLE # 6 POLYSTYRENE IN NORTH AURORA

2009-11-19T15:20:00.000-06:00

Dart Container Corporation
315 Evergreen Drive, North Aurora
(south of I-88 and west of Rt. 31)

24 hour drop off - bins are outside

Do you hate seeing Styrofoam coffee cups going to landfills? What about your foam packaging around the new laptop you just bought? Most residential curbside recycling programs do not allow #6 polystyrene, so now you can recycle foam at Dart Container Corp in North Aurora. This recycling plant now has a new machine that grinds the foam into small pieces and compresses it into a 20 pound block. The recycled plastic foam is used to make sun visors, rulers, egg cartons, lumber and other products.

Be aware of the following guidelines before dropping off # 6 polystyrene:
1. items must be relatively clean, so wipe clean your foam food packaging
2. separate packaging foam from food-service foam - there are different bins for each
3. only drop off food-service or packaging foam - no fire-retardant insulation or roofing materials
4. no packaging peanuts
5. to recycle foam, you must drop off to this location in Aurora -- it is not a part of your home/residential curbside services

Recycling program ends December 31, 2009

2009-11-16T15:07:00.000-06:00

The following drop-offs are a result of a partnership between DuPage County and SIMS Recycling Solutions. Residential electronics can be dropped off at the following locations at no charge.

No business electronics are permitted. Sites will accept the following items: computers, CPUs, monitors, keyboards, televisions, radios, microwaves, laptops, printers, cell phones, UPS systems, PDU's, fax machines, phones, DVD players, VCR's and stereo equipment. These sites will NOT accept any item containing liquids or refrigerants.

NOTICE!!!!! ALL PROGRAMS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009

Bloomingdale Township; 1st Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Annex Building, 123 N. Rosedale Rd., Bloomingdale. (630) 529-5221

Hanover Park; Monday through Friday 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Public Works Facility, 2121 W. Lake St., Hanover Park. (630) 372-4200

Westmont; Ty Warner Overflow Parking Lot, 660 N. Blackhawk Drive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (630) 981-6200
Only on the following Fridays: May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13.

Glendale Heights; Public Works Building; 1635 Glen Ellyn Rd., Corner of Fullerton & Glen Ellyn Rd.
Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call for more information (630) 462-7418.

Wood Dale; 269 W. Irving Park Rd., Starting October 2008, 1st and 3rd Monday; 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (630) 766-4900

Downers Grove Township; Public Works Building, 318 E. Quincy, Westmont, Starting June 20th
3rd Saturday of every month, 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Call for more information (630) 719-6620.

Addison Township; Public Works Facility, 411 W. Potter, Wood Dale. 2nd Saturday of every month, 8 a.m - 12 noon. (630) 530-8161

Going green for Thanksgiving

2009-11-13T14:53:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away! Have you thought about how you might make your Thanksgiving more environmentally friendly this year? Here are some great tips to get you started:

How to go green : Thanksgiving Day

12 ways to have a green Thanksgiving

10 tips for an eco-friendly Thanksgiving

Green your Thanksgiving (a couple of years old, but still good information!)

Document Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event

2009-10-10T13:03:00.000-05:00

DuPage County is sponsoring a document shredding event in the city of Elmhurst.

October 24
9:00 am - noon

Elmhurst Public Works
985 S Riverside Dr

Limit of 3 boxes/grocery bags of personal documents to be shredded safely and securely while you watch. Shredded paper will then be recycled.

Examples of items to be shredded:
personal financial statements, personal confidential documents, personal legal records, check stubs, personal payroll records, etc. NO business documents.

Staples and paper clips do not need to be removed. CANNOT shred binders, hard cover books, wire spirals (remove the paper), plastic coverings, cardboard.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DETAILS:
Residential electronics can be dropped off at no charge.

ACCEPTED: computers, CPUs, monitors, keyboards, televisions, radios, microwaves, laptops, printers, cell phones, UPS systems, PDA's, fax machines, phones, DVD players, VCR's and stereo equipment.

The event will NOT accept any item containing liquids or refrigerants. NO business electronics will be accepted.

Green Building Expo

2009-10-03T15:23:00.001-05:00

Learn about green building design at this free event. DuPage County presents an opportunity to visit with expert green building exhibitors and learn about green building products & services. The Expo will be held on Friday, October 23 from 8:00 a.m. to noon, at the DuPage County Building Auditorium in Wheaton.

There will be presentations from Wight & Co, U.S. Green Building Council, Hitchcock Design and DuPage County Stormwater.

To register, email recycle@dupageco.org or call 630-407-6700.

Free Green Living E-Books

2009-09-21T11:39:00.001-05:00

Free Green Living E-Books

Shared via AddThis

Downers Grove Recycling Extravaganza

2009-09-16T15:21:00.000-05:00

The Downers Grove Park District, in partnership with the Village of Downers Grove, will host a Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Belmont Road Train Station in Parking Lot H. The event is in advance of Amnesty Day and gives residents of DuPage County an opportunity to recycle or donate items that may otherwise end up in a landfill.

Items Accepted

Electronics: TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cameras, computers/laptops, copiers, cords, discs, electric typewriters, fax/adding machines, hard drives, keyboards, mice, monitors, PDAs, printers, scanners, small kitchen appliances, radios, speakers, stereos, telephones, zip drives.

Furniture: cribs and dressers

Lead acid batteries: car, motorcycle, boat, lawn mower, truck, sump pump, RV and all sport vehicle batteries

CFL Lightbulbs

Ink jet cartridges

Cell phones

Hearing Aids and Eye Glasses

Select Medical Supplies: Gently used wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches

To volunteer or ask a question, call Jamie Belongia at 630.434.5652.

First Annual Green Fair at Cantigny Park

2009-09-05T15:19:00.000-05:00

You are invited to be a part of the first annual Green Fair at Cantigny Park! The fair will celebrate the things that make our environmental future a hopeful one! This is an exciting opportunity to see over 100 green booths & vendors who are making a difference with the products & services they offer.

Join our GREEN community on Saturday, September 26th from 10am to 4pm and enjoy the fun!

Just a few things you will be able to enjoy:

The Giving Tree Band live performance

"Fashion EcoNista Show" with celebrity MC, Kristin Hassan, from Bravo TV's The Fashion Show

Recycled Art Contest with cash prizes & Honorable Mention Awards

Local/Organic Farmers Market & Wine Tasting

Recycling Extravaganza Event - collecting electronics, scrap metal, cell phones, bicycles, eyeglasses, hearing aids, inkjet cartridges and flags to be properly retired

Cooking Demonstrations

Recycled Papermaking, Energy Bike, Composting, Solar Oven

and more...

The Green Fair is FREE to the public - a $5.00/vehicle parking fee is charged at the entrance gate.

Nee more information? Log onto Cantigny Green Fair or the SCARCE website

Reduce your carbon footprint

2009-09-01T15:15:00.000-05:00

September 15 is Carbon Day. Visit Carbonday.com for more details or to participate. Check out their mission statement:

Carbon Day’s Mission Statement

At Carbon Day we believe that everyone should “PLAY A PART” and work towards the goal of reducing each person’s carbon footprint.

Inevitably, when we go about our daily lives — Whether it be driving , providing shelter for our families, working, the food we eat — Each one of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing our climate to change.

Yet, there are many things each of us, as individuals and businesses, can do to reduce our carbon footprint.

The choices we make in our homes, offices, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and inevitably throw away all influence our carbon footprint and if we become conscious of these daily choices, we can help ensure a sustainable planet for future generations.

We believe in sustainability and the benefits a sustainable world can bring.

We pursue our mission through action, education, politics, events, and consumer activism. This makes it easy for each of us to Play A Part

10 ways to make back to school greener

2009-08-21T10:18:00.000-05:00

Good Housekeeping magazine says: Keep the environment in mind when you kick off this school year.

Paper Shredding Event in Wheaton

2009-08-19T11:09:00.000-05:00

DOCUMENT SHREDDING - September 19, 2009; 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

City of Wheaton; 201 Liberty St., Commuter Parking Lot
the SW corner of Liberty St. and Carlton Ave.

Limit of 3 boxes or 3 paper grocery bags. Staples and paperclips need not be removed. CANNOT shred binders, hard cover books, plastic coverings or cardboard.

Personal documents only. Not accepting documents from businesses.

Examples of items: personal financial statements, personal financial statements, personal confidentail documents, personal legal records, check stubs, personal payroll records.

How to use a smart power strip

2009-08-05T09:39:00.001-05:00

Traveling green

2009-08-01T11:50:00.000-05:00

There's still plenty of summer vacation left! What are your plans for travel this summer? Whatever you're doing and wherever you're going, here are some great tips for making your travel plans more environmentally friendly.

Elmhurst Green Fest

2009-07-23T15:10:00.002-05:00

Looking for something fun to do in the suburbs? Check out the Elmhurst Green Fest, Saturday August 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come join us for a fun and educational day in Wilder Park. Find out how you can help curb Global Climate Change. Whether you’re ready to start with one small change in your home or business, or if you’ve been living green and want to take your efforts to the next level, you’ll find something of interest here.

Why go green?

2009-07-09T11:33:00.000-05:00

Does it really matter? Does it make a difference that we all adapt behaviors that are environmentally friendly? According to Planet Green, yes, it matters.

The truth is that everything single thing we do every day has an impact on the planet -- good or bad. The good news is that as an individual you have the power to control most of your choices and, therefore, the impact you create: from where you live to what you buy, eat, and use to light your home to where and how you vacation, to how you shop or vote, you can have global impact.

Battle of the bags

2009-07-01T14:36:00.003-05:00

The debate rages on. Which is more environmentally friendly? Paper or plastic? Both have their pros and cons.

For the crafty, check out Morsbags for easy to follow, step by step instructions on how to make your own cloth reusable bags for shopping.

Spend an hour reconnecting with nature

2009-06-24T15:41:00.000-05:00

Green Hour is a new campaign from the National Wildlife Federation. From their website:

Most adults of a certain age have childhood memories of carefree days spent playing outdoors -- climbing, digging, collecting, building, and exploring the natural world around them, at their own pace, in their own way.

Those children of a generation ago are the parents of today, and you might expect such outdoor play to be part of their families' lifestyle. But today's overscheduled kids are increasingly "plugged in" to electronic devices and media and unplugged from the fundamental and formative experience of nature in their own neighborhood. Their senses -- including, most sadly, their sense of wonder -- are bombarded, overwhelmed, and ultimately diminished.

Give your printer a break

2009-06-15T09:21:00.000-05:00

Ecofont is a font that you can install on your computer that uses less ink when you make printouts.

From the website: "Appealing ideas are often simple: how much of a letter can be removed while maintaining readability? After extensive testing with all kinds of shapes, the best results were achieved using small circles. After lots of late hours (and coffee) this resulted in a font that uses up to 20% less ink. Free to download, free to use."

Be part of the solution

2009-06-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

"Think globally -- act locally" Get involved in making Carol Stream into a Cool City. The Cool City coalition is made up of Carol Stream residents who share the mission of solving global warming one city at a time.

Cool Cities is a nation wide program of the Sierra Club, responding to the threat of global warming with smart energy solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use of fossil fuels, save money, and protect our environment.

To find out more and to become involved, email CoolCity-CarolStrm@att.net.

Before you recycle your computer

2009-06-02T16:47:00.000-05:00

Getting rid of an old computer? It's a good idea to wipe the hard drive before you recycle it. Here's a great article to show you how.

CFL Lightbulbs in Plain English

2009-05-26T12:48:00.001-05:00

Greener Lighting

2009-05-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

Among all of the lighting options available on the market, lighting designer Gary Gordon says there is one that pros should dismiss entirely from their repertoire: “There’s no reason anyone should be using the standard household incandescent bulb anymore,” says the principal of New York City–based Gary Gordon Lighting. “It’s far too energy-inefficient to be used anywhere.”

Read the rest here.

Unwanted/Expired Medication Disposal Programs Begin!

2009-05-08T10:44:00.000-05:00

NEW PROGRAM!
RxBox - Disposing Meds Safely
Drop Offs in 7 Locations

The DuPage County Health Department, DuPage County and the Illinois EPA are sponsoring a new program called RxBox - Disposing Meds Safely.

Specially marked boxes are LOCATED at the POLICE STATIONS in the following towns:

Addison Police Station
Bloomingdale Police Station
Burr Ridge Police Station
Carol Stream Police Station
DuPage Co Sheriff - Wheaton
Glendale Heights Police Station
Lemont Police Station
Lisle Police Station
Schaumburg Police Station
Wheaton Police Station
Wood Dale Police Station
PLUS, the permanent HHW site at Fire Station #4 in Naperville (Sat & Sun 9am-2pm)

To drop off medications, just empty the pills into a resealable plastic bag (like ziploc bags) - do not include pill bottles. If the medication is liquid, please scratch or block out your information from the label and put the bottle in a resealable plastic bag. For more details or questions, call the POLICE STATIONS in the listed towns.

Household Hazardous Waste Collections Spring 2009

2009-05-04T10:39:00.001-05:00

Household Hazardous Waste Collections - May 9 & June 6

May 9 8am-3pm

Elk Grove Pavilion

1000 Wellington

Elk Grove Village

Accepted Items: EXPIRED/UNUSED MEDICATION, Mercury Thermometer/Thermostats, Batteries, Insecticide/Pesticides, Fertilizers, Herbicides, Pool Chemicals, Paint Strippers, Aerosol Spray Cans, Auto Fluids, ... (for a complete list, log onto website below)

Visit HHW Collection for a full list of acceptable items

Upcoming Collection June 6 in Bartlett at Hanover Township, 250 S Rte 59

Green Festival

2009-05-01T14:05:00.000-05:00

Want to get involved in the green movement? Consider attending the Green Festival at Navy Pier on May 16 and 17.

Celebrating what’s working in our communities, the Chicago Green Festival™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses. More than 150 renowned speakers appear for insightful panel discussions and presentations.

You’ll also enjoy great how-to workshops, green careers, a Fair Trade pavilion, Youth Unity Pavilion, kids’ activities, delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine, and live music.

Find out how Midwest neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their cities healthier places to live.

Welcome to Living Green with the Library

2009-04-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

The Carol Stream Library brings you resources on environmental issues, sustainable living and climate change.

Got a favorite website that we should add? We want to hear about it! Just leave a comment and we'll add your resource to our list.