Reduce Waste

Local Sustainability & Recycling Guides

Compost

• Oak Park Village Organics Composting Program.

• See the Oak Park CompostAble Program or contact Sustainability Coordinator Abby Zielinski or Chief Sustainability Officer Marcella Bondie at the Village of Oak Park, 708-358-5700 for more information.

• River Forest Curbside Composting Program.

• Backyard Composting:  The Do’s and Don’ts of Backyard Composting.

Reduce

• Reduce waste at Farmers’ Markets: Toolkit for vendors and tips for customers.

• Stop junk mail: Add your address to the “Do Not Mail” list.

• Use rechargeable batteries or use these ideas to prevent battery waste.

• Clear off your bookshelves: The Oak Park Public Library accepts donations all year round for sale at its annual book fair.

• For sensitive papers and documents the Village of Oak Park hosts periodic “shredding” drop off events.

Reuse

• Printer ink cartridges can be refilled and reused: This “wikihow” site shows you how – with pictures!

• Give away items you no longer need or use: Join a local “Freecycle” group.

• Toss it? No way! Learn how to fix those broken household items at the Oak Park Repair Cafe.

• Consider donating items to the Economy Shop in Oak Park, a 100 year old “thrift store and more.”

• Renovating? Local Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept used building supplies and materials.

Recycle

• Oak Park Village Resource & Recycling.

• River Forest Refuse and Recycling FAQs.

• Illinois EPA’s waste disposal guidelines here:  Some tips on recycling challenging items such as appliances, paint, and household chemicals.

• Earth911:  http://earth911.com/recycling or call 1-800-CLEANUP.

• West Cook County Solid Waste Agency Municipal Drop-Off Centers for Electronic Waste.