Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County.
November 2020
Sat, Nov 7th - 40+ locations
Drop off your pumpkins at a location near you! Composting is nature's form of recycling - it protects clean water, restores soil health, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. So don't trash your pumpkin - smash it!

Please wear a mask and mind your distance. Remove decorations such as yarn, candles, and stickers prior to drop-off.

Download the Pumpkin Smash Word Search. Learn more in our Pumpkin Smash videos in English or Spanish
DuPage County Hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Event - Nov 14th
Save the date for the household hazardous waste collection event at the DuPage County Campus. Click the link below for a list of acceptable items. November 14, 2020 - Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: DuPage County Campus; Main entrance on County Farm Rd, Wheaton 8:00am-3:00pm
Are you deep frying a turkey this Thanksgiving? If you do any sort of holiday frying, be sure to recycle your used cooking oil at a convenient drop-off location.

Save your sewers from expensive clogs, prevent water pollution, and create a fuel with up to 74% fewer emissions than petroleum diesel. Learn more about how cooking oil recycling is good for the planet and your pocket book.
This month we're giving kudos to the Village of Clarendon Hills for earning an Earth Flag and Water Quality Flag from SCARCE and DuPage County. Learn more about their awesome sustainability efforts.
Learn How to Protect Clean Water in Free Webinars
Join DuPage County Stormwater Management and the Conservation Foundation for a webinar to learn about the variety of things you can do to protect clean waterways.
  • Nov 12th: Trees & Water Sensitive Urban Design - Learn how urban trees can be an invaluable asset to manage rainwater and improve water quality.
  • Nov 18th:Salt Smart, Save More - Did you know that salting your driveway impacts our waterways? Learn how you can salt smart to save money and protect healthy waterways.
As this pandemic continues to evolve, so do our safety practices. Whether donating or shopping, please review our new protocols before your next visit. Help us stay open by doing your part to protect everyone's health.
Visitors to our Reuse Center have
selected over
71,727 books
to help the people they serve since we
re-opened on June 15th - only 20 weeks!
It's hard to believe it but the holidays are right around the corner! As you pull out those holiday decorations, set aside your non-working 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 of participating sites.
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 Applications Open - Get funding for your project!
Due Jan 8th, 2021
Do you have a project you'd like to complete that benefits local water quality? Get help with up to 25% of costs from DuPage County Stormwater Management. Both individuals and organizations may apply. Sample projects include permeable pavers, green roofs, and native plant restoration.
We now accept clean & empty skin care, hair care, and cosmetic packaging from any brand for recycling through Terracycle. Learn more about what is accepted.
Join us on Small Business Saturday to kick off your holiday shopping at SCARCE-LY USED. With fantastic deals on gently-used books and records it's an easy decision to shop local!
November 15th is America Recycles Day
In honor of America Recycles Day, take a moment to check in on your recycling habits. You might be surprised how many things do not go in your bin. We highlight five common mistakes in this post and you can take this mini quiz from Recycle-by-City.

Reminder: PPE such as gloves, masks, and wipes are NOT recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash.
Last chance: Be sure to empty & disconnect your rain barrel before the cold weather returns!
Is it time to replace your smoke detector?
Did you set a reminder to test your smoke alarms as you switched back your clocks? If your smoke detector needs replacing, be sure to dispose of it properly! Many detectors contain a radioactive material and should not go in the trash. Learn how to check your detector and dispose of it here.
Costume drive was a success - Thank you for donating!
Our fall costume drive was a success! SCARCE provided costumes and Halloween-themed books for the YWCA costume giveaway on October 28th. The YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago was able to provide 60 costumes to underserved children in Willowbrook. What a great way to bring a little joy to a child for Halloween. Pictured above left: DuPage County Board member Julie Renehan picks up costumes from SCARCE to bring to the YWCA. Right: YWCA's costume giveaway.
Did you know that they key to combatting climate change may be right under our feet? Learn about the power of soil health to heal our planet in the hopeful documentary Kiss the Ground. It's streaming on Netflix and available on DVD.
View 'The Jean Pool' upcycled art at Elmhurst Public Library
"The Jean Pool" is a large-scale art installation by local artist Donna Castellanos and is made entirely from reused denim. On view in the lobby of the Elmhurst Public Library now.
SCARCE Holiday Hours:
Veterans Day: Wed, Nov 11th open 9am-4:30pm
Thanksgiving week:
  • Mon, Nov 23 - Tues, Nov 24: open 9am-4:30pm
  • Wed, Nov 25 close at noon
  • Closed Thursday, Nov 26 - Friday, Nov 27
  • Sat, Nov 28th open 9am - 12pm
Recycling Events
Nov 7
Pumpkin Smash - over 40 locations!
Nov 7
Addison Recycling event - Addison residents only
Nov 7
Nov 14
Nov 28
Dec 5
Dec 19
Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!
SCARCE is participating in or hosting events in green.
Nov 12
Nov 15
Nov 18
Nov 28
Dec 1
Giving Tuesday
Ongoing:
SCARCE-LY USED Books & Records @ SCARCE Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-12pm
Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies to our Rescue Projects this month!
  • Geneva Public Library
  • IO Datasphere - West Chicago
  • Keson LLC - Aurora
  • Heggerty Publishing - Oak Park
  • Whole Foods - Wheaton
Special THANK YOU to our October volunteers:
--Michigan State University
--York High School - Elmhurst


On-going Volunteer Opportunities
  • SCARCE Reuse Center Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm. 
  • Lisle & Wheaton Electronics Recycling: Saturdays (Age 14+)
Cate, a senior at York, made super crayons at home.
Our book rescue couldn't function without these amazing individuals that dedicate their time each week to sorting, stocking, and organizing your donations!

If you see them when you visit, give them a high-five!
Al - Andrea - Bonnie - Cindy - Davina - Diane - Denny - Gary - Gayle - Glenn - Greg - Gregg - Jane - Janice - Jen - Jill - Jim - John P. - John G. - Joyce - Karen - Kath - Kathy - Linda - Marcy - Marilyn - Mary Lynn - Maureen - Nancy - Penny - Sharon - Susan - Tip
Helpful Links
Be a part of this initiative!
Support SCARCE while you shop!
Report stormwater issues online.
Recycling info, trail guide, and more!
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, Liz Chaplin, Chair, and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair.
SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Jan Breyne, Laura Fanning, Heather Goudreau, Carrie Horak,
Bev Jaszczurowski, Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, & Rose Naseef
Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
(School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education)
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.