The SWALCO Scoop
 December 4, 2024
Hello SWALCO fans!
Welcome to the sixth edition of The SWALCO Scoop, our monthly electronic newsletter! This month, we're sharing tips on how to be a conscious consumer this holiday season, exciting sustainability contest opportunities for fifth and sixth graders in Illinois, details about the final Garden Learning Series session, how to recycle holidays lights for free in Lake County, and where to donate winter clothes.
This holiday season, let's celebrate sustainably with conscious consumption! Here are some small changes that can make a big impact:
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Avoid fast fashion: Trendy clothing is often discarded after a season. Shop secondhand or support brands committed to ethical and sustainable production.
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Buy for quality: Choose durable, well-made items that will stand the test of time—whether it's clothing, home goods, or holiday decorations. Investing in quality reduces waste in the long run.
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Refrain from impulsive buying: Plan your purchases carefully to avoid unnecessary items that might end up unused.
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Think beyond material gifts: Consider gifting a membership, concert, trip, or experience instead of a physical gift.
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Get creative with wrapping: Use reusable gift bags, fabric wraps, or other sustainable materials like newspaper or baskets. If you do use wrapping paper, try to reuse or recycle it. Wrapping paper with foil and sparkles are not recyclable.
Let's make this holiday season one of joy, connection, and sustainability!
The Illinois EPA has announced TWO statewide contests open to all fifth and sixth graders.
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Video Contest - Gather your classmates and create a 60-second video showing how you can make a difference by reducing waste with this year’s theme: How Can You Slash Your Trash? The top three winners will receive classroom certificates and a science kit. You could also receive recognition on social media! Whether you're a school class, homeschool group, 4-H club, or scout troop (minimum of 5 students), your team is eligible to participate!
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Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest – This annual contest invites students to submit posters or written works related to each year's environmentally-focused theme. The theme of the 2025 competition is How Can You Slash Your Trash?, inviting students to think creatively about how to reduce the amount of waste they produce. This could include buying fewer/eliminating single-use products, composting food waste, repairing broken items instead of replacing, and recycling objects that cannot be re-used or repaired. Finalists will receive a certificate, a ribbon, and an invitation to the awards ceremony in Springfield. The top twelve entries will be displayed on the Illinois EPA website.
To learn more about the Illinois EPA and these Environmental Education contests, visit their website: https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/education/contest.html
The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will present the final Garden Learning Series session of 2024 on December 11. This presentation will primarily focus on the various vegetative options to propagate your houseplants. The Master Gardeners will cover tools, techniques, and methods to get you motivated to create new houseplants from your existing houseplants! Register for session 11, "Houseplant Propagation," using this link: https://go.illinois.edu/2024Propagation
All Garden Learning Series presentations are free and virtual on Zoom. Registration closes the Tuesday before each session at 11:59pm. Zoom link, slides, and handouts will be emailed to registrants by 2pm the day of the presentation (check all email folders including spam).
The 2025 Garden Learning Series is almost finalized! Stay tuned for announcements coming soon. We have a wonderful line-up of garden programs planned for you in the new year.
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Holiday Lights
SWALCO offers recycling for old and unwanted strings of lights at no cost. Wire string holiday lights and extension cords are accepted. Items that are not accepted include live trees, artificial trees, wreaths, garland, ornaments, and inflatables.
Drop-Off Locations
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Grant Township: Road District Facility
- 26535 Molidor Road, Ingleside, IL 60041
- Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Grayslake: Village Public Works Facility
- 585 Berry Avenue, Grayslake, IL 60030
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Saturday, 8:00 AM to Noon
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Highland Park: City Recycling Center
- 1180 Half Day Road, Highland Park, IL 60035
- Every Tuesday, 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- First Saturday of the Month, 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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LRS Wauconda
- 1350 N Old Rand Road, Wauconda, IL 60084
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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Winter is coming, and it's the perfect time to clean out closets and donate to SWALCO's Clothing and Textile Collection Program. Don't throw away single mittens or gloves—SWALCO's Clothing and Textile Collection Program accepts these items, along with coats, sweatshirts, scarves, and hats.
Clothing items are dense and take up significant landfill space. Whether your items are gently used or too worn, they can be given a new life through reuse and recycling. New and gently used donations are tax deductible. Visit our website to learn more about our Clothing & Textile Collection Program and find a drop-off location near you.
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Our SWALCO team wants to remind everyone that drop-off locations for electronics, shoes, and clothing and textiles may not always be fully accessible during snowstorms or icy conditions. Our hosting locations prioritize clearing roads and walkways, which means site access might occasionally be delayed. To avoid disruptions, consider dropping off your items early, before inclement weather hits. Find your nearest drop-off locations for electronics, shoes, and textiles at swalco.org.
Thank you for your understanding and commitment to sustainability!
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December 11: Garden Learning Series
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December 14: HCW Drop-Off
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To learn more about these programs and more, visit swalco.org.
Check with your community for more events and opportunities.
Thanks for taking a moment to catch up on The SWALCO Scoop! Please encourage your family and friends to sign up for our exclusive newsletter to stay informed on latest news, updates, and events. Together, we can make a difference!
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