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Recycling

1224 Eco Brief Abies fraseri - Frasers fir
Expert Tips for Recycling Christmas Trees After the Holidays

Dec 01, 2024

Properly dispose of live Christmas trees after the holidays, recommends The Morton Arboretum. Recycle bare trees at local facilities or use branches to protect plants or shelter wildlife in your yard.

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TRANSFORMING TRASH INTO TREASURE
Recycled Art: Transforming Trash Into Treasure

Sep 29, 2023 ● By Gisele Rinaldi

Motivated by a desire to educate and inspire, many upcycle artists often interweave a message of environmental consciousness into their artwork, thus spreading awareness about issues or making social commentary.

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Broken poles
New Life For Old Poles

Apr 25, 2023

Retired or broken power poles are getting special treatment as part of a new Ameren Illinois utility pole recycling program.

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Pile of plastics for recycling
Plastic Recycling Hoax Revealed

Oct 31, 2022

20 states have passed bills to exempt chemical recycling facilities from waste management requirements, despite evidence that most facilities actually incinerate the plastic they receive.

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Concrete surface made with rubber
Concrete Made with Rubber Refuse

Oct 31, 2022

Scientists have produced good-quality concrete in which all of the aggregate has been replaced with tire particles.

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Steger Police unload 25 unclaimed bikes during the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s “Recycle Your Bicycle” program on Oct. 28.
Steger Police Propel Forest Preserve Bike Recycling

Nov 03, 2021

The Recycle Your Bicycle program serves a need not only for individuals that have unused bikes gathering dust, but also for police departments and other agencies that find themselves with too many bikes to store.

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Recyclops logo
Renovating the Recycling Stream

Oct 29, 2021

Better recycling solutions are being introduced the remove the burden from the consumer and recyclers while making the process easier.

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Clear recycled plastic bottles
Using Enzymes to Recycle Plastic

Sep 30, 2021

A more sustainable approach for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic used in single-use beverage bottles, clothing and food packaging, has been found.

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Tractors plowing on farm
Farm Waste Doubles as Construction Material

Aug 31, 2021

Agricultural waste (agro-waste) such as manure, leaf litter and crop residues can be recycled into organic and sustainable construction materials, helping to reduce landfill issues.

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SWALCO recycling bin in the Hawthorn Mall lounge
SWALCO Hosts Big Summer Clothing and More Clear-Out

Jun 30, 2021

The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) is providing new sites and collaborators participating in their clothing and textile collection program. Residents can find the closest location to drop off and donate new, gently used or worn items like shirts, pants, jeans, blankets, comforters, sheets, towels, table linens and more to be reused, repurposed or recycled/upcycled.

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Food waste in brown paper bag to turn into compost
Composting Made Easy: Turn Food Waste into ‘Black Gold’

Jun 30, 2021

Uneaten food rotting in landfills accounts for almost a quarter of U.S. methane emissions, but it can be turned into dark compost that enriches garden soil with these steps to get started.

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Discarded disposable face masks recycled, reused or repurposed
Discarded Safety Gear Used to Build Highways

Mar 31, 2021

Researchers have formulated a new road-making material comprised of a mix of shredded single-use face masks and processed building rubble designed to meet civil engineering safety standards.

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Solar Panels
Discarded Solar Panels Result in Toxic Pollution

Oct 30, 2020

As millions of metric tons of solar panel waste containing lead are projected in the coming years, groups are working ensure proper recycling protocols are in place.

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Electronic Waste
Electronic Waste is Out of Control

Sep 30, 2020

According to a recent report on e-waste, a record 53.6 million metric tons of electronics were discarded in 2019 and could likely increase to 74.7 million tons per year by 2030.

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Recycled Plastics
Wishful Recycling: What Not to Put in the Bin

Sep 30, 2020 ● By Yvette C. Hammett

"Wishful recycling" is when residents place waste items in the recycling bin that cannot be recycled. Here are ways to avoid wishful recycling with dos and don'ts for proper disposal.

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December 2024 Issue

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December 2024 Natural Awakenings Chicago cover image mugs and holidays
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