Posts tagged with "recycling programs"
Green Party Planning
Posted by lmulford on 05/14/12
'Tis the season to party – BBQs, grad parties, holidays – summer fun is in full swing! But parties also create an abundance of trash. According to the Clean Air Council, we toss out enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons to circle the equator 300 times per year. Make a difference in the environment this season by making your party planning a little greener.
Join us on Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. for "Green Party Planning," a panel presentation of green vendors who will share tips for summer and future party planning with an environmentally friendly focus. From the invitations to the food to the decorations, come hear the pros and cons of hosting a green party. Register.
You might also want to check out Simply Green Parties by Danny Seo. He offers lots of tips for fun and creative green entertaining. Read some of his ideas here.
Do you have a tip for planning a more eco-friendly party? Let us know here or on our Facebook page.
Don’t forget, the library is collecting used eyeglasses during May and June and continues to be a collection site for small electronics. Check here for a complete list of accepted recyclables. Both collection bins are located near the Returns Desk.
Recycling Programs at the Library
Posted by lmulford on 04/27/11
Small Electronics Recycling
The Library is collecting small electronics for recycling. We are working with Recycling Avenue, a nonprofit company run by a group of physically challenged young adults wanting to make a difference in their world. All donated items are tax deductible. Forms will be on the bright blue bin near the Checkout Desk.
Accepted Items
- Cell Phones
- Laptops
- Inkjet Cartridges
- MP3 Players
- Digital Cameras
- Handheld Games
- GPS Devices
- Radar Detectors
- eBook Readers
- Graphing Calculators
- Gold, Silver, and Platinum.
Appliances, computer monitors/towers, printers are not accepted.
For questions about the Library's recycling programs, please contact Linda Mulford at 847-506-2628. Information on recycling other items can be found at Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) website.
Recycling: Beyond the "Bin Wins"
Posted by lmulford on 04/27/11
The one who has the most in their recycling bin wins! I have to admit I used to play this little mind game with myself every recycling pickup day as I compared my overflowing green bins (I had two!) to all of my neighbors’. But all that has changed (and ended my “bin wins” game) with the new covered bins recently introduced in Arlington Heights. I recently looked out my window just in time to see the recycling jaws of the Groot truck pluck the 65-gallon bin from the curb, hoist it into the air and easily toss the entire contents into the truck. Amazing! I love these new stylin’ bins. They are covered, do not fill up so quickly, have wheels, and I know that stuff won’t be blowing all over the street come recycling day. Now that the village has made it easier for us to step it up a notch with our recycling efforts, I find myself feeling a lot more conscientious about doing more of it.
But not everything can go into that shiny new cart. We also have to be more conscientious about a growing issue – electronics recycling. I’m guessing there’s a fair number of you that recently started using at least one of the fun, new gadgets on the market these days – smart phones, e-readers, tablets, etc. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 40 million computers become obsolete and are discarded every year. However, only 15 percent of these are recycled. Recycling all of the outdated electronics like cell phones, laptops, CD players, and iPods has become more important than ever. Not only do these discards create excess waste, but also introduce corrosive chemicals into landfills, which can seep into the ground.
The Library is here to help. Last Friday on Earth Day we began two recycling programs. We are collecting small electronics for an indefinite period of time, in partnership with Recycling Avenue, an organization that is run by a group of physically challenged young adults. Also during the month of May, we are partnering with EYEsee in collecting used eyeglasses for their medical missions to Third World countries. Look for both recycling bins near the Checkout Desk.
If you live in A.H. or in any of the nearby suburbs and would like to know more about other recycling options and locations, check out the website for SWANCC – the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. Did you know that:
- If you have large electronics like TVs or computers to recycle, you can drop them off at one of their nearby recycling sites.
- If you have more than just a few items, they’ll arrange to pick up items at your home.
There’s even a free app now for your smart phone – iRecycle – that provides access to more than 800,000 recycling and disposal resources plus information on trends and ideas about recycling.
Check back here soon to learn more about Our Voices, Green Choices. We’d love to share your recycling thoughts and ideas so join in the conversations both here and on our Facebook page.
