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Sustainability in Motion: April Updates and Innovations |
Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”
- Robin Williams (1951–2014)
 Are you considering purchasing a solar installation?
Switch Together - previously called Solar Switch - is a program offered by DuPage County and highly regarded nonprofits Midwest Renewable Energy Association, and Citizens Utility Board. The program makes it more affordable for homeowners to go solar by grouping your project with others for a competitive group auction. Optional add-ons such as battery storage and electric vehicle chargers are also available through the program. Switch Together provides free educational webinars and in-person events to guide you through the process of going solar.
Switch Together conducts rigorous reviews of installer qualifications, ensuring participants receive a high-quality installation from a trusted installer. Through the current program, the average household is expected to save $4,838 on a high-quality solar installation. The federal tax credit and Illinois Shines Program can further savings by up to 60% - making solar energy more affordable than ever before. making solar energy more accessible than ever before. It is FREE to register, and there is no obligation or expectation that you will purchase a system. Take advantage of this opportunity by registering at SwitchTogether.com/Solar/DuPageCounty by June 25, 2025.
FREE Sustainability Assessments for Small Food Businesses in DuPage & Kane Counties
Small food businesses in DuPage and Kane Counties can now access free sustainability assessments to cut costs and improve efficiency! Offered by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) and Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), this program seeks to help 10 small for and/or non-profit entities, such as restaurants, grocers, and other food-focused organizations identify savings through energy efficiency, alternatives to hazardous chemicals, water conservation, pollution prevention, and waste reduction (including purchasing and disposal). The process includes a facility walkthrough, data analysis, tailored recommendations, implementation support and an optional case study. Interested businesses can apply at go.illinois.edu/FoodBusiness. Spaces are limited, so act fast to take advantage of this EPA-funded opportunity! Participants will be selected on a rolling basis and ISTC and SEDAC will work with participants upon selection until December 2026. Questions can be directed to Zach Samaras at zsamaras@illinois.edu.
Pill Farewell: The Right Way to Say Goodbye to Unused Meds
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Illinois passed the Drug Take-Back Act in 2022. It ensures that every Illinois county will have at least one medication collection location per 50,000 residents that is financed by pharmaceutical manufacturers. These collection locations accept both controlled and non-controlled substances free of charge. To find a location near you, visit the Illinois Safe Drug Disposal web site. If you can’t get to a drop box, there is also a mail-back option. The mailers are sent to you at no charge and have postage pre-paid. Visit the Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA web sites to learn more about safe medication disposal. Coming to the DuPage County complex soon? The DuPage County Sheriff's Office has a medication drop-off bin directly to your left inside their lobby. |
International Day of Zero Waste
March 30 marks the International Day of Zero Waste, a global initiative led by the United Nations to promote sustainable consumption and waste reduction. This year’s theme, “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles,” highlights the staggering impact of textile waste. According to the non-profit organization Global Fashion Agenda, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced globally each year. To combat this, individuals can take action by buying durable clothing, shopping at secondhand stores, repairing garments, participating in clothing swaps, washing less frequently, repurposing old textiles, and recycling fabric waste. Small changes can lead to big environmental benefits! Learn more and get involved at UNEP’s website.
Want to try your hand at repairing household items or clothing? Check out our Repair & Reuse Guide for items that can avoid landfill by either fixing them or using reuse stores.
Blades of Glory: Aussie Surfer Rides the Wind, Literally!
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In an article from Renew Economy, Amalyah Hart reports that Australian pro surfer Josh Kerr has made history by riding the first surfboard crafted from recycled wind turbine blades. Partnering with Spanish energy company Acciona Energía, Kerr’s surfboard brand, Draft Surf, produced ten prototype boards incorporating repurposed turbine material from Victoria’s Waubra wind farm. This initiative, showcased at Sydney’s Urbnsurf, aligns with Acciona’s broader Turbine Made program, which explores innovative recycling solutions for decommissioned turbines. With wind farms aging across Australia, the push to repurpose turbine materials is growing. From surfboards to sneakers and solar trackers, Acciona continues to pioneer sustainable solutions, emphasizing that clean energy infrastructure can have a second life beyond power generation. To read the full article from Renew Economy click here. |
Earth Day List of Events
Upcoming April Events
Events
April 5, 2025; Pop - Up Recycling Center: Aurora; Saturday Pop-up collections for electronics, clothing & shoes, books & more in the Ace Hardware parking lot at 994 N Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60506.; 9AM - Noon.
April 5, 2025; Westmont: Electronics & More Recycling Event; Village Hall - 31 West Quincy Street Westmont, IL 60559; 8 AM - 12 PM
April 12, 2025; Village of Addison Spring Community Recycling Event; Addison Public Works Department, 1491 Jeffrey Drive. Open to Addison residents only; MUST show proof of residency; 8 AM - 12 PM.
April 12, 2025; City of Wheaton Recycling Extravaganza & Paper Shredding Event; DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds - 2015 Manchester Road Wheaton, IL 60187 - 8:30 AM - 12 PM.
April 15, 2025; Sustainable Design Challenge; In the atrium of the Jack T. Knuepfer Admin Building at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187; 9 AM - 2 PM.
April 19, 2025; Electronic Recycling - Bloomingdale Township; Open to ALL DuPage County Residents; 6N030 Rosedale Avenue Bloomingdale; 8 AM – 12 PM.
April 19, 2025; DuPage River Sweep; The Conservation Foundation; 9 AM - 12 PM.
April 19, 2025; Villa Park Electronics Recycling Event; Public Works Garage, located at 20 W. Home Avenue This free service is only available to Villa Park residents. Please have your ID ready. Also, note only one TV may be dropped off per visit. For a full list of accepted items, visit: here; 9 AM - 12 PM.
April 21; Alter Brewery Eco-Trivia; Let your competitive side shine in earth-related trivia! There will be prizes for the winners. Good purchased will be donated to Greener Grove; Alter Brewing - 2300 Wisconsin Ave UNIT 213, Downers Grove, IL 60515; 7 PM.
April 21 - 27, 2025; Earth Week; Hosted by Greener Grove; follow that link to learn about events happening in the Downers Grove Area.
April 22, 2025; Join Jason Michnick, Village of Downers Grove Environmental Sustainability Coordinator as he presents: the Unveiling of the Village's Sustainability Plan; 7 PM at the Downers Grove Civic Center.
April 26, 2025; Bensenville Earth Day Shred & Recycling; Deer Grove Leisure Center - 1000 W Wood Ave. Bensenville, IL 60106; 8 AM - 10 AM.
April 26, 2025; Downers Grove Park District Clean-up; Help the Downers Grove Park District keep our parks clean and free of litter. Gloves will be provided;10 AM; Park location is TBD.
April 26, 2025; Elmhurst Quarterly Electronics and Textile Recycling; Public Works Facility - 985 S Riverside Drive, Elmhurst; 8 AM - 12 PM.
April 26, 2025; Glendale Heights One Stop Recycling Depot & Document Shredding Event; GH2O Aquatic Center parking lot located at 240 Civic Center Plaza; 10 AM - 12 PM.
April 26, 2025; Glen Ellyn Recycling Extravaganza; College of DuPage - Parking Lot #6 From Lambert, West on College Road; 9 AM - 1 PM.
April 26, 2025; Schaumburg Recycling Extravaganza; A community-wide drive-up event that includes electronics recycling, paint recycling and document destruction; Wintrust Field West Lot, 1999S Springinsguth Rd; 9 AM - 1 PM.
April 26, 2025; Wildflower Walk; Meet at Lyman Woods for a guided wildflower walk! The path can be muddy this time of year, so dress accordingly. This walk will take approximately two hours; 9 AM. To RSVP for this event email info@greenergrove.org.
April 27, 2025; Tree-Plenish; Downers Grove North High School's Environmental Club is hosting a tree planting event fundraiser at Lyman Woods - 901 31st St, Downers Grove, IL 60515; 10 AM. sign up here.
Holiday's
April 3, 2025; World Aquatic Animal Day
April 7-13, 2025; Food Waste Prevention Week; Check back for details.
April 13 - 19, 2025; National Environmental Education Week
April 22, 2025; Earth Day
April 25, 2025; Arbor Day
Upcoming Webinars
April 10, 2025; Powering Your Home with Solar Energy Webinar; Find out how you can shine with solar energy; 7 PM - 8:30 PM.
April 24, 2025; Solar Power Hour Event; Time & Location is TBD.
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.
 The Illinois EPA has partnered with Recycle Coach and is offering this app and website widget to help with recycling statewide. DuPage County recently uploaded recycling drop off information and has input the widget to the website. Search for hundreds of items. Get local recycling and disposal information at www.dupagecounty.gov/onlinerecyclingguide.
Want to offer it in your community? Reach out to SuccessGroup@recyclecoach.com
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