Stay in the know with local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
Green Bulletin
November 2018
Don't let your pumpkin languish in a landfill - drop it off for composting at at a Pumpkin Smash near you. Composting is nature's form of recycling - it promotes healthy soil, water, and air and reduces your climate change impact. So don't trash it, smash it!

Open to all ages. Plain clean pumpkins of any size will be accepted. Any decorations such as candles, yarn, or stickers should be removed prior to drop-off.

Stop by SCARCE or 35+ other locations across Illinois.
Protect Your Water! Free Workshop
Nov 7th, 5:30-7:00pm
Learn how water pollution happens in your community and how you can take action to keep our waterways clean!

This month we continue to celebrate our fellow citizens joining in to protect our waterways through the Storm Drain Medallion Project. The City of Naperville has enlisted the help of community members to become Drain Defenders through an innovative new volunteer program.
Did you hear about the 100ft long, 6ft tall fatberg found in Detroit sewers? Save your sewers from the same fate and recycle your turkey frying oil at a location near you!

First Disk Recycling Drop-Off: 631 lbs!
In October, SCARCE dropped off our first load of disks for recycling. It came out to a total of 631 pounds of disks which are broken down into nickel and plastic and used to make car parts. Thank you to everyone that has brought in their disks (case-free!) and to all the volunteers that help sort for recycling. Learn more about disk recycling here.
County Partners with Elmhurst Schools for Cool Yule
The holiday season is fast approaching and you'll soon see holiday decorations going up. The County is already preparing for the 3rd annual Cool Yule program. This year DuPage County is excited to announce their partnership with Conrad Fisher Elementary and Emerson Elementary from the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205. Find out what recycled or reused holiday ornament designs the schools come up with by following the Cool Yule program on Twitter @cooldupage or Facebook this December.
Daylight Savings Begins Sunday
Use the bi-annual clock reset as a cue to test your toilets for leaks and test your smoke detectors. Be sure to properly dispose of any you need to replace.
Get a head start on holiday shopping and decorating and score a deal at the SCARCE Holiday Pop-up shop. Find unique, eco-friendly gifts, an an assortment of new, gently-used and vintage items.
Open to the Public 24hrs
Do you have corrugated plastic election signs to get rid of? Recycling is available in the Lombard Village Hall Parking Lot (255 E. Wilson Ave). Only corrugated plastic and the metal stands will be accepted.
Support a Bright Future for People and the Planet
Become a SCARCE Supporter this Holiday Season
Your on-going financial support helps us inspire action for the environment and divert tons of educational resources from the landfill to classrooms in need through our Book Rescue. Together, we are creating a brighter future for people and the planet.

Multiple Ways to Give

  • Give back when you shop this holiday season! Choose SCARCE as your AmazonSmile charity and a portion of your purchase will support our programs.
SCARCE Around Town
SCARCE educators were busy during the month of October! The Senior Spirits at Lord of LIfe Church in Darien learned about how our nation's founders were rooted in sustainability. In the spirit of taking action for our ideals, each person received a toilet leak detection test so they can conserve water at home.
Thursday, Dec 6th 1-7pm
People of all ages are invited to get a behind-the-scenes look at SCARCE during our annual open house! Drop by and enjoy some light refreshments while learning more about our rescue projects, education programs and more. See you there!

Already been to SCARCE's open house? Find a friend that hasn't and give them an introduction!
As you pull out those holiday decorations, don't forget to set aside your broken holiday lights to be recycled. SCARCE offers year-round holiday light recycling and many communities offer a free seasonal drop off site - stay tuned for a full list.

It's not too late to start a free collection at your school, church, or village hall. Contact us to get started.
Water Quality Grant Application Open - Get help funding your project!
Due Jan 11th, 2019
Do you have a project you'd like to complete that benefits local water quality such as stream or wetland restoration, a green roof, or permeable pavers? Get help with project costs by applying for DuPage County's Water Quality Project Grants. Both individuals and organizations may apply.
SCARCE Holiday Hours
Veterans Day: Monday, Nov 12 Open 9am-4:30pm

Thanksgiving week:
-------Mon, Nov 19 -Tues, Nov 20 open 9am-4:30pm
-------Wed, Nov 21 Open 9am-12pm
-------Closed Thursday Nov 22 - Sunday Nov 25

As always, you can view our calendar or our contact page to stay up to date.
Recycling Events
Fall recycling events are wrapping up! Stay tuned for the Spring 2019 season.
Nov 3
Nov 3
Nov 24
Dec 1
Environmental Events -  Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
Nov 3
Nov 7
Nov 9 & 10
Nov 15
Nov 19
Nov 24
Nov 26
Dec 6
Dec 5
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!

  • Dugan & Lopatka - Warrenville
  • HAVI - Downers Grove
  • Ware Malcomb - Oak Brook
  • Whole Foods - Wheaton
Special THANK YOU to our October Volunteers


----- Benet Academy - Lisle
----- College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn
----- First United Methodist Church of Elgin
----- Glen Oaks Therapeutic Day School - Glendale Heights
----- Glenbard West High School - Glen Ellyn
----- HAVI - Downers Grove
----- Hinsdale South High School - Darien
----- Islamic Foundation School - Villa Park
----- JVM Reatly - Oak Brook
----- Lisle High School Ecology Club
----- Naperville Central High School
----- SAP - Naperville
----- St. Francis High School - Wheaton
----- St. Matthew School - Wheaton
JVM Realty Oak Brook Oct Volunteers
JVM Realty volunteers sorted through a giant box of donated crayons, markers and writing utensils so they could go out for teachers.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

  • SCARCE Book Rescue Saturdays Nov 10th & 17th 9am-12pm


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.