Community Environmental Events and Programs
2026 Spring Sign Recycling Event
The DuPage County Environmental Committee invites residents to recycle political, corrugated plastic, and cardboard signs.
Event Schedule
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Friday, March 20: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
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Saturday, March 21: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon)
Drop-off Requirements
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Cost: Free of charge.
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Accepted Items: Only cardboard and corrugated plastic signs.
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Preparation: Please remove all metal stands from signs before arrival.
Contact Information
For questions, please reach out to the DuPage County Environmental Division:
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Community Sports Swap
Donate gently used sports equipment to receive a shopping voucher or simply stop by to browse. These events are hosted by Go Green Glen Ellyn and the Naperville Park District.
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Note: Donations are not required to shop the event.
2026 DuPage River Sweep
Join The Conservation Foundation for the annual river cleanup.
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Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has extended the deadline for the current round of EV rebates. Note that program requirements have changed.
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Status: Funding is limited; apply as soon as possible.
Review IEPA Rebate changes and apply.
Growin' Green Garden Market
SCARCE is now accepting pre-orders for compost for their annual Garden Market.
Pre-order compost through SCARCE.
Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility Now Accepting Alkaline Batteries
Expanded Recycling Program
Naperville’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility has expanded its program. Illinois law prohibits these batteries from landfills, but all Illinois residents can now drop them off at the facility free of charge.
Accepted Battery Types
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Medium-format: Automotive, marine, sump pump, and lithium-ion.
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Alkaline: AAA, AA, C, D, and 9V.
How to Recycle
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The New DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center
A State-of-the-Art Facility
The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center has completed a new facility dedicated to the future of local ecosystems. Key features include:
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Expanded Visitor Center: Enhanced space for community engagement.
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Modern Wildlife Clinic: A larger facility to care for injured wild animals.
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Universal Accessibility: Trails and the main campus are fully accessible to all visitors.
Sustainable "Net-Zero" Design
This is the district’s first net-zero building, meaning it is designed to produce more energy from renewable resources than it consumes. Sustainable features include:
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Solar Panels and Geothermal Wells.
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Enhanced Insulation for maximum energy efficiency.
Learn More and Visit
This center serves as a beacon for wildlife care, conservation education, and environmental stewardship in DuPage County.
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Free Tool Lending Program
You may be familiar with "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," but sustainability experts have expanded this concept into a closed-loop system. To help keep waste out of landfills, follow these steps in order:
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Refuse: Say no to single-use items.
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Reduce: Decrease over-consumption.
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Reuse: Use items as many times as possible.
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Repurpose & Repair: Fix items before replacing them.
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Recycle: Use this as the final option.
Tool Sharing & Repair Resources
Instead of purchasing specialized tools that take up space and money, consider using a loaner program for your automotive or home projects:
Feed the Cart Quiz!
Yes or No, I can recycle anything with the chasing arrow symbol.
See the answer at the end of the Newsletter!
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Downers Grove Receives Level II Arboretum Accreditation
The Village of Downers Grove has received Level II Arboretum Accreditation from ArbNet and the Morton Arboretum.
Why it Matters:
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Tree Stewardship: Recognizes excellence in planting and mapping native species.
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Education: Honors the Village's commitment to environmental outreach.
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Global Network: The Village is now part of an international database of accredited arboreta.
Read the full announcement here.
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Supporting the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI)
The Village’s efforts support the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), a regional program dedicated to improving lives by expanding the Illinois tree canopy. DuPage County signed on as a CRTI partner in 2018 and received an ArbNet designation in 2018.
Tree Care Resources
Explore CRTI Tree Care Resources.
Un-be-leaf-able Tree Fact of the Month
Have you noticed Oaks or Beeches holding onto brown leaves all winter? This is called marcescence.
Why does it happen?
Scientists believe this adaptation helps the tree survive:
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Bud Protection: Shields new growth from freezing winds.
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Wildlife Deterrent: Discourages hungry animals from eating tender stems.
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Nutrient Boost: Leaves fall in spring, providing fresh mulch for new growth.
The Risk
The main downside is a higher chance of branch breakage during heavy ice or snowstorms.
Learn More
Read the University of Illinois article on winter leaf retention.
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Sustainable Mardi Gras: From Glass to Sand
The 2026 Mardi Gras season featured a major push for sustainability in New Orleans, led by local innovators and the organization Glass Half Full.
Restoring the Coastline
Since 2019, New Orleans residents have worked to bring glass recycling back to the city.
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The Process: Recycled glass is crushed into sand.
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The Goal: This sand is used to restore Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands and coastline.
Eco-Friendly Traditions
Franziska Trautmann, 2026 Queen of Krewe du Vieux and CEO of Glass Half Full, used her reign to advocate for "circular" celebrations:
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Glass Beads: Returning to 1950s traditions, some krewes are swapping plastic beads for recycled glass versions.
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Recycled Throws: Glass bottles were transformed into sustainable necklaces, bracelets, and keychains for parade crowds.
"We can keep our culture, have fun, and still make the environment a better place." — Franziska Trautmann
Learn more about Glass Half Full's mission.
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Upcoming Events
Recycling Events
February 28; Aurora - The Big One: Shred & Recycle Event; 8 AM - 12 PM.
Saturdays and Sundays; Household Hazardous Waste Collection; 9 AM - 2 PM.
March 7; Lisle Quarterly Electronics & Textiles Recycling; 8 AM - 12 PM.
March 14; Wheaton Electronics & More Recycling Event; 9 AM - 12 PM.
March 20; 2026 Spring Sign Recycling Event; 3 PM - 5:30 PM.
March 21; 2026 Spring Sign Recycling Event; 9 AM - 12 PM.
March 21; Villa Park Electronics Recycling; 9 AM - 12 PM.
Webinars/Workshops
February 24; Spring Cleaning Sustainability - MREA Webinar Series; 5:30 PM.
February 25; The Buzz in Your Garden; 7 PM.
Tuesdays in March; Native Landscaping: Creating Your Garden Plan; 3 PM & 5:30 PM.
March 5; Climate Conversations: Reducing Waste with Worms; 6 PM - 8 PM.
March 8; From Rain Barrels to Rain Gardens: Helpful Water Conservation Practices; 1 PM - 3 PM.
March 11; Garden Leaning Series - Seed Starting for Your Garden; 6 PM - 7:30 PM.
March 19; Conservation@Home Professional Design Workshop; 8:30 AM - Noon.
March 19; Protecting Jewels of the Night - Firefly Conservation; 7 PM - 8:30 PM.
Special Events
March 2; Seed Starting 101; 7 PM - 8 PM.
March 5; DuPage Organic Garden Club: Pruning Tree & Shrubs; 7 PM - 8:30 PM.
March 9-13; Food Waste Action Week.
March 9; Gardening Apps; 7 PM - 8:30 PM.
March 16; Plant, Water, and Resource Smart; 7 PM - 8:30 PM.
March 18; Envirothon: Non-Point Source Pollution.
March 18; Global Recycling Day.
March 21; Establishing and maintaining Your Lawn; 10 AM.
March 23; World Climate Day.
March 24; Compost: Restoring our Relationship with the Soil; 7 PM.
March 30; International Day of Zero Waste.
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.
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