Green Initiatives
Park District and Village partner on Electronics Reycling Extravaganza
The Village of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Park District hosted its annual Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Village of Downers Grove Public Works Facility, 5101 Walnut Avenue. This event was open to residents of DuPage County.
- Items collected at this year's event include:
- 115 American flags (Century Post 503, Veterans of Foreign Wars)
- 117,520 pounds of electronics (Creative Recycling)
- 202 automotive size battery cores (Exide Technologies)
- 120 bicycles (Working Bikes)
- 126 propane tanks (Amerigas)
- 20,000 lbs. of shredded documents
Visit the Household Hazardous Waste/Electronics page for additional information on other recycling programs.
Download a copy of the 2009 Dupage County Recycling Guide
Green Tip of the Month - Form new "green" habits
With a new year just beginning, why not assess some of your old ways and make it a point to form new “green” habits! The following are a few simple ways to get you started:
- Recycle more
- Pack waste-free lunches
- Carpool when you can
- Consolidate your shopping trips
- Use cloth napkins and rags
- Reuse glass jars for storing things
- Turn off electronics when not in use
- Bring your own bags when shopping
- Compost food scraps
- Rent or borrow videos and books instead of buying
- Read publications on-line versus buying them
- Purchase used clothes and used household items
- Choose more natural, non-toxic cleaners
It takes only a month or two to form new habits. Begin to implement these simple greener ways and before you know it you will have formed some of the best habits that will benefit you and those around you!
Big Belly takes up residence at Washington Park
The "Big Belly" solar garbage can that normally resides in one of our parks during the sping and summer months is now situated in Washington Park. This garbage can compacts trash as it comes in. The Big Belly intelligent waste collection system dramatically lowers the operating costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emmissions associated with the waste collection process by up to 80%! You can learn more about the Big Belly at www.bigbellysolar.com!
Downers Grove Park District Adopts Environmental Guidelines
The Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a set of environmental guidelines recommended by staff during the December 18th board meeting. The Downers Grove Park District has been a leader in environmental initiatives for many years beginning with the dedication of Belmont Prairie as an Illinois Nature Preserve in 1979, the preservation of Lyman Woods as open space in 1986 and the construction of the William F. Sherman, Jr. Interpretive Center in 2003. The District's ongoing efforts towards being a responsible environmental steward led to the creation of a "Green Committee" and the development of environmental guidelines for daily business operations. The guidelines adopted will be used as a tool to assist staff in the promotion of sound environmental practices in the workplace. Click here to view the environmental guidelines.
Battery collection count as of 1/2012
8,712 lbs. collected - That’s over 4 tons of alkaline and rechargeable batteries!
Dry Cell Battery Recycle Program - The Park District is host to a dry cell battery recycling campaign located at the Recreation Center, 4500 Belmont Road. The Park District is now also accepting rechargeable batteries in response to a need indicated by the community. Only AA, AAA, C and D and rechargeable batteries are accepted. No rechargeable power tool or automobile batteries will be accepted. Responsibly recycling batteries saves natural resources and protects human health through reuse of reclaimed materials and by keeping heavy metals out of landfills and water supplies.
Gym Shoe Recycling - Each year, the Downers Grove Park District hosted a gym shoe recycling program in cooperation with SCARCE, School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education. Collection sites located at the Recreation Center at 4500 Belmont Road, and the Lincoln Center at 935 Maple Avenue yielded 700 shoes this year which will be recycled and used to make new products such as sports surfaces, playgrounds, basketballs and frisbees.
Park District donates Washington Park playground equipment to City in Krygyzstan DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – On October 15, 2009, the government in Kara-Balta City, Krygyzstan held a dedication to celebrate the addition of recycled playground equipment, which was once located in Washington Park in Downers Grove, IL. ....read more
Did You Know?
- The Interpretive Center was designed and constructed with a green building concept which included the use of green building materials including steel frame construction, Hardie board siding, water and energy saving fixtures as well as a green roof with native prairie plants.
- The Interpretive Center follows a “green housekeeping program” which includes such tasks as using green certified products, collecting and recycling all recyclable materials and reducing water and energy consumption with the use of pre-programmed thermostats and timers.
- The District began environmental education programming in the early 1990’s and the District’s Wetland Education program for local 5th graders began in 1995.
- On-going restoration and land management projects at the District’s natural areas, golf course and parks include tree plantings, woodland and habitat restoration, native landscaping, storm water management, stream bank stabilization and the consistent use of best management practices and integrated pest management programs.
- The Recreation Center was built with water saving fixtures in the rest rooms and locker rooms.
- Over 20lbs of water bottles are recycled per week from the Fitness Center and 75lbs of paper are recycled per month from the Recreation Center facility.
- In 2005, the Lincoln Center light fixtures were replaced with more energy efficient fixtures.
- District facilities recycle paper, plastic, aluminum, cartridges, toners, and obsolete equipment.
- The Golf Course has recycling receptacles on the course for plastic, aluminum and glass containers and recently installed automatic hand dryers in the restrooms.
- The District reduces the use of paper by double-siding documents and using electronic communications when possible.
- The seasonal Recreation & Parks Guide and Park Avenues newsletter is printed on recycled paper with eco friendly inks.
The District requests green alternates on bids for playground equipment, construction projects and vehicles and turf equipment.
