How to Manage Lithium Batteries in DuPage County

DuPage County Environmental Division is participating in Aurora’s GreenFest. The festival has 100+ green vendors, a green vehicle show, live music and performances, hands-on activities and local food trucks.

Stop by our table May 2nd between 10 AM and 4 PM to:

• Ask recycling and waste questions; and
• Learn more about Chicagoland’s Feed the Cart campaign; and
• Find out more information on the Switch Together Solar Group Buy program; and
• Meet Loop!!

This Years Theme is Make a difference! Be energy smart!

Where: 18 W. Benton St., Aurora, IL 60506

To learn more, visit the Aurora GreenFest online.

The Illinois EPA’s EV Rebate Program application cycle will close on May 31st, 2026.

Applications must be postmarked during the rebate application cycle and within 180 days of purchase and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Program Essentials

• Only available for Illinois residents
• Rebates range from $1,500 - $4,000 dependent on income level and EV type
• Vehicle must be all-electric
• Vehicle can be either new or used
• Vehicle cannot be purchased or delivered from an out-of-state dealership

How to Apply

• Review the electric vehicle rebate program website for additional documentation required besides the application form (PDF)
• The Illinois EPA has released a Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) page for common questions

Are you spring cleaning? If you have car seats, strollers, or highchairs you no longer use, don't throw them in the trash!

The Details

Target is hosting its Car Seat Trade-In Program. This initiative helps keep expired or damaged seats out of landfills by recycling the materials into new products.

• When: April 19 through May 2, 2026
• Where: Your local Target store
• The Reward: Trade in one car seat to receive a 20% off coupon for a new car seat, stroller, or select baby gear.

How it Works

1. Bring your old, expired, or damaged car seat to the drop-off box located near Guest Services.
2. Scan the QR code on the drop-off box to add the coupon to your Target Circle account.
3. Enjoy your savings while knowing your old seat is being recycled responsibly!

True of False

Greasy pizza boxes are accepted for recycling.

See answer at the bottom of the Newsletter!

We are proud to announce that DuPage County and SCARCE have officially awarded the City of West Chicago both the Water Quality Flag and the Earth Flag.

This double honor recognizes the City’s dedicated stewardship in protecting our local watersheds and fostering a healthier environment for all residents.

The Award Presentation The flags were presented to the West Chicago Environmental Commission by:

• Jim Zay, Stormwater Committee Chair
• Saba Haider, Environmental Committee Chair
• Kay McKeen, SCARCE Founder
• Melissa Martinez & Greg Schwarze, County Board Members

Get Involved

Is your school or community interested in earning a flag? Learn more about the Water Quality Flag Program.

First International Company Earns Earth Flag in Lombard

In celebration of Earth Day, the DuPage County Environmental Division, County Board Members, and SCARCE visited bioMérieux in Lombard to award them the Earth Flag. This award recognizes their excellence in environmental stewardship, community engagement, and sustainability.

Leading by Example

BioMérieux is the first international company to earn an Earth Flag! Their team demonstrated a deep commitment to a "waste-free workplace," including these impressive 2025–2026 achievements:

• Renewable Energy: Installed over 900 solar panels, providing 30% of their total energy.
• Waste Diversion: Diverted 1,931 lbs. of used PPE from landfills in 2025.
• 2026 Goal: On track to send only 17% of total generated waste to landfills.
• Natural Gas Reduction: Installed a Lab Air Recovery System to eliminate natural gas usage.
• Recycling Hub: Established collection points for batteries, nitrile gloves, e-scrap, and more.
• Community Impact: Partners with three local schools to recycle plastic bags into benches.

Learn more about bioMérieux’s sustainability initiatives Visit the bioMérieux Sustainability Portal

Congratulations to the entire bioMérieux team for taking meaningful actions that shape a more sustainable future for DuPage County!

Members of the DuPage County Environmental Division recently met with students from CREO DuPage, a non-profit dedicated to providing high school students with the resources and mentorship needed to succeed in higher education.

Breaking Barriers in the Skilled Trades

Staff member Ian shared his personal passion for the environment and discussed the rewarding career paths available in skilled trades. A key takeaway from the session was the importance of perseverance: Ian echoed the Executive Director of workNet DuPage, encouraging students to not let gender barriers get in the way of pursuing high-demand careers in the environmental sector.

We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with these bright students and look forward to seeing the impact they will make on our future workforce!

Support Student Success

Learn more about the CREO DuPage Program

DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM) and SCARCE reached a momentous milestone on April 21, 2026, by hosting the 20th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge.

Students from across the County gathered at the Administration Building to present innovative models of sustainably designed homes and businesses. These projects were evaluated by judging teams composed of local STEM professionals.

Bridging Classroom Learning with Real-World Infrastructure Between judging rounds, students toured the County campus to see green infrastructure in action—the very same features they incorporated into their models. During the zero-waste luncheon, SWM Committee Chair Jim Zay, who has chaired the event since its inception, reflected on the program's 20-year history and the impressive caliber of this year's participants.

Participating High Schools:

• York Community (Elmhurst)
• Glenbard East (Lombard)
• Lake Park (Roselle)
• Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale)
• Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)

We extend a sincere thank you to the teachers, professionals, and the team at SCARCE for supporting this massive event for two decades!