Coming Soon: Recycling Extravaganza

Many of the towns in DuPage host monthly and annual recycling events. They allow for items that cannot be recycled through our regular garbage collection to be collected and refurbished, taken for their parts, or recycled. Reducing the amount of garbage that enters landfills leads to less natural habitats being destroyed to create landfills, a reduction in the amount of trash that goes into landfills, and working toward a zero-waste lifestyle that benefits our environment. Downers Grove has not had an event like this for 10 years….until now!

In 2023, the Village of Downers Grove joined the Greenest Region Compact (GRC), laying the groundwork for a long-range plan of developing sustainability solutions. Offering a recycling opportunity felt like the exact event that works toward the goals of the GRC. Greener Grove, together with the Village and SCARCE which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on rescuing school items from landfills, organized a Recycling Extravaganza. 

The Recycling Extravaganza, on October 4th from 9-12pm, will take place in a parking lot at the Belmont Train Station. We have gathered the most amazing organizations that collect a wide variety of items. Most items are free, but there are small fees for paint and electronics.

Here is your chance to clean out your basement, attic, and garage! On Oct. 4th, please drive by our Recycling Extravaganza. The entrance is at Chase Ave and exit will be at Belmont Avenue. We will greet you, unload your car for you, and send you on your way as quickly as possible. 

We have a few weeks until the Extravaganza. So what can you do? Start gathering your items now so you are ready when the time comes. For a smooth drop-off process, we encourage you to separate and organize your items based on the collection groups. The groups and what they are collecting are listed here:

1 – eWorks - Electronics (pay in advance here), textiles bundled in a bag

2 - Accurate Document Destruction - on-site document shredding

3 – Sharing Connections - dressers, tables, chairs, end tables, coffee tables, bed side tables, sofas, loveseats, sectional sofa (no sleepers)

4 – West Suburban Food Pantry - donate non-perishable food items, diapers

5 – Working Bikes - adult and child bikes in good-repairable condition, bike parts, helmets, pumps, accessories

6 – SCARCE - books, keys, Christmas lights, cords and wires, 35mm film canisters; Canon and HP inkjet cartridges (no toners); household/car keys; plastic bread tags; x-ray, MRI and lithographic film, crayons, musical instruments, 45 LPs, vinyl records, CDs in case, DVDs in case

7 - Zambia soccer gear - uniforms, cleats, balls, gear in good condition ONLY

8 – Project Cure - medical equipment - wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, stethoscopes, monitors of all types, nebulizers, and more

9 – Earth Paint - paint - oil & latex (for a small fee), aerosol cans. Paint Qt. $2.99 Gallon $5.99 Pail $19.99

10 - Lions Club - hearing aids, eyeglasses & sunglasses, NO CASES

11 - DuPage County Sheriff Dept. - Rx medicine, epipens, lancets, syringes. (IMPORTANT: must place pills in Ziploc bag & sharp items in hard plastic containers)

Find out more on our event flyer here.

July Meeting Recap: Creating an Environmentally Friendly Yard

So what makes for an environmentally friendly yard? That is the question Beth Peluse of The Conservation Foundation (TCF) posed to the audience at Greener Grove’s July meeting. Shout outs from the audience included minimal to zero turf grass, use of native plants throughout, no chemicals, and good water conservation practices like using rain barrels and planting drought-resistant plants - all good answers!

Beth Peluse presents "Conservation@Home" at the July 22 Greener Grove Meeting: Lincoln Center, Downers Grove.

Over the next hour or so, Beth delved into how we can create a more environmentally friendly yard by adjusting our way of thinking and doing. By shifting how we design, what we plant and how we care for our yards, we’re helping pollinators, improving soil health, fostering more resilient ecosystems and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Perspective - Where We’re At

Beth shared some sobering stats about our state and lawn care…

• Illinois, known as the Prairie State, was originally home to 21 million acres of prairie. Now less than .01% of prairie remains.

• Grass is America’s largest irrigated crop.

• Americans spend $40 billion annually, or $500/household, on lawncare, including mowing, seed, and fertilizer.

• When it comes to CO2 emissions and air pollution, 1 hour of lawn mowing = driving 300 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas; 1 hour of leaf blowing = driving 1,100 miles from Los Angeles to Denver.

  
  

Create an Environmentally Friendly Yard

To get started on creating your own environmentally friendly yard - or to kick it up a notch - here are some tips Beth shared:

• Mow lawns less frequently. According to a graphic Beth shared, “Mowing every two weeks vs. every week increased native bee species by 60%.” 

• Reduce the amount of cultivated lawn over time. “Think of grass as an area rug rather than wall-to-wall carpeting.” - Rebecca McMakin, “Let Your Garden Grow Wild” Ted Talk 

• Focus on planting native species. Native species are specific to a geographic area and support the wildlife in that same area. In addition, there are a variety of options to fit the conditions in your yard (sunny, shade, wet, dry, etc.) and use water more efficiently. One local resource for native plants mentioned was Natural Communities. Find others on the TCF website here.

• Plant a range of native flowers to attract and support different types of pollinators - bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, wasps - throughout the growing season. The bullseye pattern - contrasting color and UV visibility -  in the center of the flower is what guides pollinators to where the pollen and nectar are located. 

  

• Do your research when planting non-natives. While it’s fine to include non-native species in your planting schemes, focus on those considered harmless to the ecosystem. For example, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and spirea are considered harmless. Others, like vinca and buckthorne are invasive, crowding out native species. And, in the case of buckthorne, can even change the soil composition in a way that makes it difficult for other plants to thrive. 

• Consider types of modifications when evaluating nativars. Height and disease-resistance modifications are likely still beneficial; modifications like unusual flower colors or double-blooms may negatively impact pollinators. 

• Clear out invasive species. Techniques include hand pulling; cutting off blooms; and for large areas, layering cardboard over the invasives, then adding mulch on top to smother the plants.

• Plant biodiversity rockstars! Black-eyed Susan, asters, milkweed, goldenrod and oaks are all included on TCF’s rockstar list.

• Experiment with plants to achieve aesthetic goals. Plants like monarda and wild ginger tend to spread and fill in open areas. Others like marsh blazing star and fox sedge grow in clumps, creating a more tidy look. Incorporate plants in pots for accents in the garden or on a porch.

  
  

Take Action

Whether you are beginning the journey of creating a more environmentally friendly yard or well on your way, it’s great to take advantage of the many resources TCF provides. Here are some actions you can take now:

• Explore the many resources on the TCF website

• Join TCF

Sign up for a Conservation@Home visit to discuss how to make your yard more environmentally friendly and how to get certified.

June Meeting Recap: Sustainable Food

Sustainable food refers to food production and consumption practices that minimize environmental harm. It involves environmentally-friendly farming, minimizing waste, cutting down on emissions, and promoting economically viable food systems by sourcing food locally.

Greener Grove hosted a panel discussion on sustainable food at its June meeting. Moderated by GG member Ryan Coughlin, panelists included:

• Jerry Nash, Co-Founder & Director, Prairie Food Co-op 

  • Prairie Food Co-op is a grocery store in Lombard that exists to make fresh, local food accessible year-round while creating a positive impact on our community.

• Connie Kollmeyer, Agroecology Educator, The Conservation Foundation

  • The Conservation Foundation works to improve the health of our communities by preserving and restoring natural areas and open space, protecting rivers and watersheds, and promoting stewardship of our environment. The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest is a certified organic farming operation that produces clean, delicious, non-GMO vegetables for our local community.

• Crystal Echevarria, Founder & Chef, Culinary Confidante

  • Culinary Confidante provides menus, coaching, and workshops for people and organizations moving into plant-based eating, empowering kitchen creativity, one person at a time.

Moderator Ryan Coughlin and Chef Crystal Echevarria discuss sustainable food.

With over 40 people in attendance, there was no shortage of questions for the panelists! It was also clear that GG members enjoy talking about all things food - growing, buying and preparing, as well as composting. 

Greener Grove Meeting: June 24, @ Lincoln Center in Downers Grove

Practices that Contribute to Sustainability of Food

Plant-Based Diets

Eating more plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains generally has a lower environmental impact than consuming large amounts of animal products.

Seasonal and Local Produce

Choosing foods that are in season and locally sourced reduces carbon emissions and supports local farmers.

Reducing Food Waste

Minimizing food waste at all stages from production to consumption is crucial, including composting food scraps.

Sustainable Farming Practices

Adopting methods like regenerative agriculture, organic farming, and crop rotation can improve soil health and reduce the need for

harmful fertilizers and pesticides.

Sustainable Seafood Choices

Choose seafood that is wild  caught or sustainably caught

with consideration for long-term fish populations and ecosystems. Look for labels like Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

Take Action

One big takeaway from the meeting: living more sustainably requires looking for opportunities to reduce food miles (the distance food travels from its source to your plate) and minimize food waste. Here’s what you can do:

• Grow your own food - in your yard, in containers on a balcony or kitchen counter, or in a community/shared garden plot. Experiment and learn from fellow Greener Grove members. Take advantage of online and in-person classes to jumpstart your learning curve. If you have kids, involve them - The Conservation Foundation offers camps and other learning opportunities for kids.

• Buy local - There are lots of choices, including CSAs (community supported agriculture), farmers markets, and now a food co-op. Prairie Food Co-op opens July 9th and will focus on selling locally sourced, organic and sustainable foods. Anyone can shop there whether you are a member or not, though membership offers a number of benefits. The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest offers a CSA and operates a farmstand, selling vegetables grown on McDonald Farm. 

• Get curious in the kitchen - Do you suspect that better menu planning and pantry organization might cut down on food waste in your household? Do you want to level up your cooking to take advantage of seasonal ingredients? Challenge you/your household/your friends to learn something new. For example, explore a new cuisine that takes advantage of all the fresh produce right now. Culinary Confidante offers a wide range of cooking and technique workshops, as well as individual coaching sessions. 

• Take care of the soil - learn to compost - Greener Grove’s Compost Coach Program is a great place to start. 

Greener Grove's Compost Coaches offer personalized mentorship to help you start composting in your own backyard.

Resources to Check Out

Throughout the meeting (and after), panelists and attendees mentioned favorite websites, apps, and local/regional farms, including:

Cooking

• Forks Over Knives (also a documentary film) 

• Nora Cooks

• Plant You

• Seafood Watch, including fish in the Great Lakes

• SuperCook - Zero Waste Recipe Generator

Local Farmstands - Check their websites for hours

• Mill Street Produce - Mayneland Farm in Naperville 

• Rustic Road Farm in Elburn

Organizations/Farms Committed to Strengthening Food Systems

• Illinois Stewardship Alliance

• Spence Farm

• McDonald Farm