 "While the Illinois EPA and many Illinoisans support and participate
in recycling programs throughout the year, America Recycles Day
offers an opportunity to revisit successful practices as well as
develop new recycling habits," said Scott.
America Recycles Day is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization
whose mission is to have an annual national awareness event to
promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling
and buying recycled products. Its goal is to increase recycling and
the purchase of recycled content products throughout America. The
Illinois affiliate is the Illinois Recycling Association.
(Information on Illinois EPA-sponsored programs
is provided with this article.)
Recycling is a way for citizens to be environmental stewards in
their communities and a way to preserve the environment for future
generations. Materials like glass, metal, plastics and paper can be
collected, separated and sent to facilities that can process them
into new materials or products.
Recycling plastic, glass or aluminum cans is not the only way to
be environmentally friendly. During the holidays, giving reusable
gifts can have a big impact on the environment. Give items that do
not generate packaging waste and are nondisposable, sustainable and
reusable, such as mugs, plants and lunch bags.
During home renovations, consider your actions before throwing
out unwanted items. Objects such as windows, doors, lighting,
cabinets, tiles, vanities and sinks frequently end up in landfills,
when they can be reused, recycled or donated to businesses and
residents in the community.
Other actions you can take to
recycle:
-
Set up a recycling
center in your home.
-
Use rechargeable
batteries whenever possible.
-
Buy products in
reusable containers such as glass jars and sturdy plastic dairy
tubs. Reuse these containers when buying bulk foods and for
storage.
-
Some families spend
over $260 each year on paper towels and napkins. Switch to cloth
napkins, sponges, and cloth towels or wipes.
-
Avoid single-use
products such as disposable razors, diapers and lighters.
-
Use a coffee mug when purchasing coffee
at your favorite coffee shop. This simple action will help save
500 disposable cups per person from being thrown away each year.
Some of the benefits of recycling:
-
Conserves resources
for our children's future.
-
Prevents emissions
of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants.
-
Saves energy.
-
Supplies valuable
raw materials to industry.
-
Creates jobs.
-
Stimulates the
development of greener technologies.
-
Reduces the need for new landfills and
incinerators.
Creating a strong market for recycled products is an important
key in completing the recycling process or "closing the loop."
Consumers close the loop when they purchase products made from
recycled materials. Buying recycled has both economic and
environmental benefits, and purchasing products that are made from
or packaged in recycled materials saves resources for future
generations.
To learn more about recycling and find out why it is important,
how it works, and the dos and don'ts of recycling, visit
www.illinoisrecycles.org.
[to top of second column]
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The Illinois EPA sponsors several
recycling-oriented programs, many of which communities can become
involved in. Call the agency's Waste Reduction Unit at 217-785-8604
for more information on co-sponsoring one of these important
recycling efforts:
Household hazardous waste collections -- The Illinois EPA
sponsored 20 household hazardous waste collections in 2007. Nearly
8,700 55-gallon drums of toxic and hazardous waste from Illinois
residents was kept from landfill disposal through those collections
and from long-term household hazardous waste facilities in Rockford,
Chicago, Lake County and Naperville. The household products from the
waste collections exhibit many of the same characteristics as
industrial or commercial hazardous waste, and if they were not from
households, would be strictly regulated. The collections offer
homeowners a viable alternative to discarding the items with their
regular trash and provides environmentally sound disposal.
Waste tire collection program -- Used and waste tires that
are not managed properly present a threat to human health and the
environment due to the threat of fire and mosquito proliferation.
Used and waste tires that are improperly managed provide a breeding
habitat for mosquitoes.
Since the inception of Illinois EPA's Used Tire Program in 1990,
more than 13 million used and waste tires have been removed from
dumps throughout the state in over 1,500 tire cleanups. The Illinois
EPA conducts more than 1,000 inspections at used and waste tire
sites annually to ensure compliance with environmental requirements
and prevent the formation of new waste tire dumps.
Unused pharmaceuticals collections -- For years, IEPA has
been collecting unused prescription drugs as part of its household
hazardous waste collection program. It has recently stepped up its
efforts and is partnering with local health departments, hospitals
and other groups to do local collections
Disposal of unused, unwanted pharmaceuticals is an emerging and
complex issue. Recent U.S. Geological Survey studies have found
traces of painkillers, hormones, antidepressants, blood-pressure
medicines and other medicines in water samples from 30 states.
Studies have linked hormone exposure to reproductive defects in
fish. Studies have also linked environmental exposure to antibiotics
to the development of drug-resistant germs.
The agency is working with various stakeholders to find
convenient and environmentally responsible ways for residents to
manage waste pharmaceuticals. Will, Kendall, McDonough and Knox
counties are participating in a pilot project to collect old and
unwanted medicines from residents.
Illinois Reduces Illegal Dumps program -- The Illinois EPA
started I-RID to facilitate the removal of illegally dumped waste
and prevent future dumping on public and private lands. Since the
statewide cleanups were launched, there have been nearly 120
open-dump cleanups throughout the state, in both rural and urban
areas. Almost 300 tons of recyclable metal waste has been sent to
salvage and recycling facilities, and nearly 300 tons of tires have
been collected and recycled.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs -- The Illinois EPA is
partnering with ComEd and Ace Hardware to provide free collection of
compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, at 150 Chicagoland and
northeastern Illinois Ace Hardware stores. The pilot program runs
through Dec. 31 and may be extended. Mercury from the bulbs will be
condensed, distilled and purified before being stockpiled or sold to
the market. The aluminum end caps will be melted and put back into
general uses in the aluminum metals market, and the glass will be
recycled into a variety of products, most notably fiberglass.
[Text from
Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency news release received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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