Stay in the know with local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
Green Bulletin
September 2018
Join us at the SCARCE Green Fair
Free Admission
Join us at the Green Fair in the new open air marketplace at the DuPage County Fairgrounds! Learn how you can have an impact to create a cleaner world with the #PickUp5 initiative, our Storm Drain Medallion Project and more.

Discover local sustainable retailers, services, farms, food and organizations making a difference for people and the planet. 

Explore a variety of activities:
  • Celebrate World Clean Up Day and join the #PickUp5 movement
  • Eco-themed acoustic children's show from Ralph of Ralph's World
  • Get crafty with upcycled materials in our Makerspace
  • Unload at the Recycling Extravaganza 10am-1pm

See you there!

Attention Youth Groups & Scouts: This is a great opportunity to learn about education programs and get ideas for scout projects.
Celebrate Pollution Prevention Week
National Pollution Prevention Week is September 17th-23rd. SCARCE can help you take action with one of our many projects:


Learn about these projects at the links above or in-person at the Green Fair on Sept 15th!
This month we highlight the eco-efforts of Invesco of Downers Grove, North Central College in Naperville, and Hanover Park to conserve resources, protect clean water, and foster renewable energy.
You can help the planet and people by becoming part of the SCARCE team. When you volunteer, you’re helping to divert good resources from landfills to support education around the world. You will make a difference. Get started today!
The Elmhurst Junior Women's Club volunteering at SCARCE.
This summer was one for the books here at SCARCE! Check out what we accomplished at the Book Rescue this year thanks to donations from you and our dedicated staff and volunteers.
Fall Workshops
Join us for a workshop this fall! These programs are perfect for youth group and scout leaders, teachers (earn CEUs) , PTA members, and parents of school-age kids looking to help their schools and students go green.

Registration Open, Approvals Due Oct 4th
Celebrate a green Halloween by hosting a composting drop-off for jack-o-lanterns! Contact us to find out if your town is already planning a collection - if not, learn the easy steps to get started.
Get Eco-Certified With Our Help
Did you know that your business, school, agency, or house of worship can earn any of three environmental certifications from SCARCE and DuPage County?

Show your commitment to the environment by pursuing an Earth Flag, Ecology Flag or Water Quality Flag.
Do you use contact lenses? Only dispose of used lenses in the trash and NOT down the sink or toilet. Lenses that get washed down sink drains or flushed are not filtered out and become microplastic pollution in our waterways. To prevent accidentally losing a lens down the sink, simply add a strainer such as this to the drain.
Local alternatives available
The Downers Grove Police Department officially ended their medicine collection as of September 1st. Residents have 2 locations within the village to dispose of medicine: Walgreens Pharmacy (1000 Main) and Douglas Main Pharmacy (5207 Main St) plus over 25 options county-wide.
Get your creativity flowing! Create your design for this year's International Compost Awareness Week poster contest around the theme "Cool the Climate - Compost!" Entry is open to anyone age 10 and up. The winning entry will receive $500 and have their work used to promote ICAW May 5-11, 2019.
Register for this free webinar. It will cover how to use compost for stormwater and erosion benefits, various applications, and how to develop ordinances and standards, plus go into Illinois' new law that requires agencies to give preference to compost in soil related projects.
Recycling Events
Sept 8
Sept 15
Sept 22
Sept 22
Sept 29
Oct 13
Environmental Events -  Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
Sept 6
Sept 6
Sept 6
Sept 8
Sept 15
Sept 16
Sept 20
Sept 21-23
Food Waste Weekend - Calling all faith communities!
Sept 22
Sept 22
Sept 22
Sept 24
Oct 6
Oct 6
Ongoing:

SCARCE  Used Book & Record Sale  every Tues & Fri 9am-12pm and select Saturdays
Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies to our  Rescue Projects  this month!

  • Canon - Schaumburg
  • Invesco - Downers Grove
  • Jewel-Osco - Winfield
  • Whole Foods - Naperville
Special THANK YOU to our August Volunteers


----- Barnes & Noble - Oak Brook
----- Benedictine University - Lisle
----- eKiwanis Club of Greater Chicago
----- GlenOaks Therapeutic Day School
----- Islamic Foundation School - Villa Park
----- Kiwanis Club of Glendale Heights
----- Lyons Township High School - La Grange
----- Midwestern University - Downers Grove
----- Naperville North High School
----- National University of Health Sciences - Lombard
----- Neuqua Valley High School - Naperville
----- NOW Foods - Bloomingdale

Also a thank you to Retired teachers from Hawthorne School in Wheaton and Schiesher School in Lisle.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities



On-going Volunteer Opportunities

  • SCARCE Book Rescue Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm. 
  • Lisle & Wheaton Electronics Recycling: Saturdays (Age 14+)
Helpful Links
Be a part of this initiative!
Select SCARCE as your charity to support us when you shop.
Find a location near you
Recycling Guide, Trails Systems, and more!
Report stormwater issues online.
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Green Bulletin | SCARCE | 630.545.9710 | info@scarce.org | www.scarce.org
This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded by the DuPage County Board,
Daniel Cronin, Chairman,
the DuPage County Environmental Committee, Amy Grant, Chair,
and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair.
SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Laura Fanning, Lauren Favia, Heather Goudreau,
Carrie Horak, Kaitlyn Hornik, Bev Jaszczurowski,
Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, & Rose Naseef
Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
( S chool & C ommunity A ssistance for R ecycling and C omposting E ducation)
This newsletter is part of the Teacher Training Program funded by DuPage County.
Our Professional Development Provider Number: 190000000000000
The mention of a specific product or company is not an endorsement by DuPage County's Environmental Education Program.