 Spring is nearly here, and DuPage County is already blooming with environmental wins! We are thrilled to share some incredible progress from this past month. In March, the City of Wood Dale launched the Recycle Coach app. Their new "What Goes Where" tool helps residents take the guesswork out of recycling and waste disposal. We also want to congratulate Chicago Glue & Machine for earning their Green Certification through the Sustainable DuPage program. They are a fantastic example of local businesses leading the way in sustainability.
As you begin planning your spring garden, consider adding native plants to your landscape. These plants save water and support local wildlife like bees and butterflies. You can find a variety of options by checking out the Wild Ones 2026 Native Plant Sale List. Additionally, the Sustainable Design Challenge is now open for high school students. This STEM competition offers a chance to win up to $500 for innovative green building designs. Be sure to register before the deadline on April 13.
We invite you to join us in making this our greenest spring yet by reading on to see how you can get involved!
2026 Free 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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Protect Your Pipes: Think Before You Flush
Are "flushable" wipes actually flushable? The short answer is no. While many pre-moistened wipes are labeled as flushable, they do not break down like toilet paper. Instead, they tangle into massive clogs that damage our local sewer systems.
The True Cost of a Flush
When wipes enter our wastewater system, they cause serious problems:
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System Clogs: Wipes catch on pipes and pumps, requiring manual removal by sanitation crews.
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Wasted Resources: Removing these clogs costs taxpayers time and money.
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Higher Rates: Constant repairs can lead to increased utility costs for residents.
It’s the Law
To protect our infrastructure, Illinois law now requires wipe manufacturers to include a “Do Not Flush” label on their packaging if their wipes don’t meet the requirements. Companies that fail to label their products correctly face fines between $2,000 and $10,000.
How You Can Help
Protect your home’s plumbing and our county’s environment by following one simple rule:
Even if the package says "flushable," always dispose of wipes in the trash can.
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Save Money on your Utility Bill with Time-of-Day Pricing
Rising temperatures often lead to higher electric bills. Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., the demand for power spikes, and so does the price. However, you can take control of your costs by changing when you use energy.
ComEd’s Time-of-Day (TOD) Program
The TOD program lets you pay different rates based on the time of day. During the "Mid-Day Peak" (1 p.m. – 7 p.m.), electricity delivery costs more than double the price of other times.
How to save during peak hours:
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Set your thermostat a few degrees higher.
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Avoid using large appliances like dishwashers or dryers.
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Shift heavy energy use to mornings, late evenings, or overnight.
Note: You can use this plan even if you are already on Hourly Supply Pricing!
Get Expert Help with Your Bill
Utility bills can be confusing. If you want to know which pricing plan is best for your home, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is here to help.
Grow a Row: Share Your Garden's Harvest
If you have a green thumb, you know that a successful garden often produces more than one family can eat. This year, you can use your extra harvest to help neighbors in need.
How to Donate Your Extra Produce
The Garden Works Project in Wheaton is making it easy for local gardeners to give back. They use the Fresh Food Connect app to link home gardeners with local food pantries and assistance programs.
3 Simple Steps to Help:
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Plan Ahead: Add a few extra seeds or "Grow a Row" specifically for donation.
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Download the App: Use Fresh Food Connect to find the best drop-off spot for your surplus veggies.
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Deliver Freshness: Drop off your harvest at a local food access organization.
Learn how to get started at The Garden Works Project.
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Volunteer Clean Up Opportunities
Want to make a difference this Earth Day? Does litter make you sad? Check out these amazing volunteer opportunities!!
2026 DuPage River Sweep
Join The Conservation Foundation for the annual river cleanup.
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The Illinois Prairie Path Annual Trail Clean Up
In honor of Earth Day and Celebrate Trails Day, the Illinois Prairie Path Corporation and DuPage County invite you to our annual trail cleanup.
Help us reach our goal of cleaning all 62 miles of the beautiful Prairie Path! It is a fun, rewarding way to give back to your community.
Event Details
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Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Time: 9:00 AM
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Locations: Various sites across the 62-mile path.
How to Participate
Registration is required to help us coordinate volunteers across the entire trail system.
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Now Hiring: Stormwater Management Interns
Are you a college student looking to make a difference in your community? DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM) is now accepting applications for two exciting summer internship paths.
Environmental Internship
Best for: Full-time students majoring in:
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Ecology or Biology
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Natural Sciences
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Water Chemistry
Engineering Internship
Best for: Full-time students at an accredited school majoring in:
Why Intern with DuPage County?
Gain hands-on experience in water protection, infrastructure, and environmental health while working alongside industry experts.
Ready to apply? View Job Details and Apply on the County Careers Page.
Solar Energy: Affordable Options for Everyone
Switching to solar energy is easier than ever in Illinois. Whether you own your home or rent an apartment, there is a program designed to help you save money while protecting the environment.
Illinois Solar for All
This state program is specifically for income-eligible residents. It offers two main paths:
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Community Solar: Perfect for renters or those who cannot install panels. You "subscribe" to a solar farm nearby and receive credits on your bill.
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Residential Solar: Offers low-cost options to install panels on your own roof through solar leases or purchase plans.
First Step: Take the Eligibility Quiz to see if you qualify.
Illinois Shines
If you do not qualify for Solar for All, you can still save through Illinois Shines.
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Community Solar: Open to all residents who want off-site solar savings.
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Energy Credits: Solar owners sell their renewable energy credits back to their utility company for additional incentives.
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ComEd Rebate: If you are a ComEd customer, you may qualify for a $300/kW rebate on your solar installation.
Explore all solar paths at Illinois Shines.
The Tree Toolkit: Planning for Arbor Day
Spring is nearly here, and Arbor Day is just around the corner! Adding a tree to your yard is a great way to help the environment, but success starts with choosing the right species for your space.
Find the Perfect Tree for Your Yard
Not every tree thrives in the same conditions. The Morton Arboretum offers a search tool to help you choose a tree based on your specific needs, such as:
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Soil type (clay, sand, or loam).
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Sunlight (full sun or shade).
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Size (how big it will grow).
Action: Use the Morton Arboretum Tree Selector Tool.
Support Local Pollinators
Did you know that certain trees and shrubs provide essential food and homes for bees and butterflies?
Choose Native, Not Invasive
Avoid accidentally planting "invasive" species that can harm our local ecosystem. Learn which plants to avoid and what to plant instead.
Coming Next Month: Tips on how to properly plant and care for your new tree!
Students Go Behind the Scenes of County Sustainability
On March 9, students and teachers from the College of DuPage visited the DuPage County campus for a special tour. In partnership with SCARCE, the group got an up-close look at how local government puts green ideas into action.
What They Saw
The tour highlighted the award-winning projects that help the County campus run more efficiently, including:
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Energy Savings: Programs that lower electricity use.
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Water Management: Smart ways to handle stormwater and protect local rivers.
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Expert Advice: Students met directly with the staff who manage these systems every day.
A Community Effort
Thank you to our experts in Energy, Facilities, and Stormwater Management for leading such an engaging day. Partnerships like these help prepare the next generation of environmental leaders!
Want to see the campus for yourself? Explore our Campus Sustainability projects online.
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Upcoming Events
Recycling Events
Every Saturday & Sunday; Naperville Household Hazardous Waste Facility; 9 AM - 2 PM
March 21; Villa Park Electronics Recycling Event; 9 AM - 12 PM
April 4; Darien Recycling Event; 10 AM - 2 PM
April 4; Westmont Electronics & More Recycling Event; 8 AM - Noon
April 11; Hinsdale Recycle & Shred Event; 9 AM - 12 PM
April 11; Naperville Free Shredding Event; 8 AM - 11 AM
April 11; Wheaton Recycling Extravaganza & Paper Shredding Event; 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
April 18; Bloomingdale Township Electronics Recycling Event; 8 AM - 12 PM
April 18; Villa Park Electronics Recycling; 9 AM - 12 PM
April 18; Addison Spring Community Recycling Event; 8 AM - 12 PM
April 18; Westmont Paper Shred Special Olympics Fundraiser; 9 AM - 1 PM
April 25; Elmhurst Electronics & More Recycling Event; 9 AM - 12 PM
April 25; Glendale Heights One Stop Reuse and Recycling Depot; 10 AM - Noon
April 25; Village of Bolingbrook Arbor Day Celebration & Shred Event; 10 AM - 2 PM
Webinars/Workshops
March 19; Protecting Jewels of the Night - Firefly Conservation; 7 PM - 8:30 PM
March 24 & 31; Native Landscaping: Creating Your Garden Plan; 3 PM & 5:30 PM
For the Kids/Teens
April 16; Bicycle Safety & Repair Workshop; 5 PM - 6:30 PM
April 18; DuPage River Sweep; 9 AM - Noon
April 19; Carol Stream Public Library Eco Expo; 1 PM - 4 PM
Special Events
April 2; Winter to Spring Gardens; 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
April 11; Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District Spring Plant Sale; Time TBD
April 21; Sustainable Design Challenge; 9 AM - 1 PM
April 22; Earth Day
April 25; Arbor Day
April 30; Stop Food Waste Day
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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