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April 22, 2019

Earth Day 2019: Keep Our Planet Clean Earth Day is a day to plant a tree or to bike instead of drive, or it's a day to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags. But most importantly, it's a day when you can educate yourself and those around you on what you can do to improve the environment.

Are You Familiar With the Local Recycling Guidelines?

A recent audit showed that one in four items placed in recycling bins are not recyclable. To help reduce contamination, a statewide task force created new local recycling guidelines. As not everything can go in recycling containers, these guidelines help determine what you should and shouldn’t recycle curbside. Watch this video to see how easy recycling is if you do it right.  

There are many items that you should not put in your recycling bin that CAN be recycled elsewhere! The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County has free drop-off sites around the county for the following items: 

Electronics: Bring your old TVs, computers and other electronics to one of four year-round electronics recycling drop off sites.

Reuse-a-Shoe: Don’t throw away shoes that no longer fit or that you don't wear anymore. Drop off your gently used or worn-out shoes at sites throughout Lake County.

Clothing and Textiles: Visit one of several local collection bins to drop off your new and gently-used clothing and textiles to be reused or recycled into usable new products.

Composting: You can compost organic wastes such as food, manure, leaves, paper, coffee grounds, etc. You can buy your own compost bin or drop off your organic wastes at designated locations.

Discover where you can take countless other items using the "Where Do I Recycle This?" finder.

Protect Our Species

This year's Earth Day theme is: Protect Our Species. Lake County is home to 143 threatened and endangered species; that's more than any other county in Illinois. There are several different plants and animals under threat. What can you do to help protect endangered species?

• Use native plants. • Don't leave any food out for wild animals like foxes,  crows, or raccoons that prey on endangered animals and their nests. • Make sure to decrease waste and properly recycle. Waste products pollute the environment, and landfills reduce the expanse of habitat the species live in. Learn More.

Purify Our Water

Waste water from inside and storm water from outside eventually flows back into different bodies of water. There are over 200 lakes and rivers, and more than 100 beaches in Lake County. Do your part by keeping harmful contaminants out of Lake County's water. 

Drop off unwanted or expired medications at drug collections boxes in your area.   Dispose of household chemical wastes for free by dropping them off at the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County. Schedule an appointment.    Adopt best practices when deicing driveways and parking lots.

Making Every Day Earth Day in Lake County

Sustainability is one of the top strategic goals of Lake County. This year, the Lake County Board created a new Energy and Environment Committee that focuses on climate change impact, the county’s carbon footprint, as well as policy and legislation. The public is welcome to attend upcoming meetings. Previous meetings can also be viewed anytime online. 

Join Lake County’s efforts by making every day Earth Day! Learn what you can do to help protect the environment by visiting Sustainable Lake County.