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Cool DuPage Summer Update

Grow Solar Chicagoland

A Great Time to Go Solar! DuPage County is participating in the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and Citizens Utility Board’s (CUB) Grow Solar Chicagoland program.  This is a residential and commercial group purchasing opportunity where the more residents and organizations that participate the greater the discount will be for everyone. So not only can you benefit the environment, but you can also save yourself money! The program is available in DuPage, Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties and the City of Chicago. Register for a virtual or in-person  Solar Power Hour that goes over everything from the basics of solar, financial benefits, financing, the free site assessment, and more.   6/7 Tuesday: Solar Power Hour, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom 6/22 Wednesday: Solar Power Hour, 7:00-8:00 p.m. at DuPage Fairgrounds Complex 7/7 Thursday: Solar Power Hour, 6:30-7:30PM at SCARCE Office 7/20 Wednesday: Solar Power Hour, 6:30-7:30PM on Zoom (click to register) More events will be available in August.

EV Vehicle & Infrastructure Rebates

Considering buying an EV or installing an EV charging station at your home or office? Well, 2022 could be a great time to do it with the EV benefits provided by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)! Starting on July 1^st, 2022, Illinois residents qualify for a $4,000 rebate and charging stations of level 2 or 3 can receive grants or rebates that will fund up to 80% of the installation cost.  In addition to CEJA, the EPA offers federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Business

Sustainable DuPage Webinars Sustainability has become a key focus in the business world however, not all companies have the resources, time, or finances to make their vision a reality. To help businesses learn more about what is available to them,  DuPage County partnered with Choose DuPage to hold 4 webinars in the month of April called Sustainable DuPage. The series had experts talking on commercial construction, recognitions/certifications and where to find incentives. Webinar recordings can be viewed at the links below: Sustainability in Commercial Construction  Recognition in Sustainability Incentives & Resources for Sustainable Development

Government

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Solid Waste and Recycling Programs

For local governments, it can be a challenge to achieve recycling goals. In response, the US EPA is developing a set of grant programs to help governments address education and outreach and infrastructure. Both programs are soliciting feedback through June, so keep an eye on this page to keep on top of any new information. 

Residential

1 lb Propane Recycling Pilot Program The weather has warmed up and camping season is in full swing! With it comes the launch of our free 1lb propane tank recycling program at the Blackwell Family Campground. You can find the container at the entrance to the camping area just off Main Dr. with signs and instructions that make easy to recycle. The program partners, Forest Preserve District of DuPage, Flat Can Recycling and DuPage County, are excited to offer a recycling option for 1 lb. propane tanks to campers

Upcoming Events

June 1, 2022; Local Foods: From The Farm and From Your Yard; Webinar; 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

June 4, 2022; Village of Bensenville Electronics Recycling & Document Shredding Event;  717 E. Jefferson Street; 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

June 4, 2022; West Chicago Rain Barrel Program; METRA Station, 508 Main Street; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

June 4, 2022; West Chicago Paper Shredding and Medical Disposal Event; METRA Station, 508 Main Street; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Residents Only

June 7, 2022: Solar Power Hour; Virtual; 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

June 9, 2022; Downers Grove Rain Barrel Sale 2022; 5101 Walnut Ave;  2 p.m.- 6 p.m.; Pickup only Order by June 6th

June 9, 2022; The Versatility of Compost to Capture, Clean, & Divert Stormwater; Webinar; 12 p.m.- 1 p.m. 

June 11, 2022; City of Wheaton Electronics & Textile Recycling; 820 W. Liberty Drive.; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

June 11, 2022; Schaumburg Environmental Fair; 1111 E. Schaumburg Road; 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

June 11, 2022; Village of Bartlett Document Shredding Event; Metra Parking lot, 101 E Bartlett Ave; 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. 

June 18, 2022; Lisle Residential Electronics & Textile Recycling; 925 Burlington Ave. Commuter Parking Lot B.; 8 am - 12 pm;

June 21, 2022; Solar Power Hour; Virtual; 2 p.m.- 3 p.m.

June 22, 2022; Solar Power Hour; DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds Complex, 2015 Manchester Rd, N County Farm Rd; 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

June 26, 2022; Marvelous Monarchs; 2S541 Winfield Rd, St. James Farm; 10:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.

Interested in other recycling and "green" events in DuPage County? Then check out our Calendar/Events page on the Environmental Division's section of the website. Please note that inclusion on the page is not intended as an endorsement of any of company or event, nor has the County purposely excluded any additional events.

Cool DuPage is an effort to reduce greenhouse gases throughout DuPage County. The three metrics for measuring success are kilowatts (electricity), therms (gas), and vehicle miles traveled. Our program aims to assist businesses, large and small, and residents on ways to reduce the various areas that fall under our metrics.