Public Green Blog

Gardening with Food Scraps

mreynolds — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:46:53 +0000

Do you have a clove of garlic that has sprouted, or potatoes with eyes? Think twice before you toss them in the trash, as you can use these items to grow more! Yes, you can grow garlic, potatoes and even pineapple, all from scraps! Check out this article from Earth911 to learn more about gardening with food scraps. Some of these foods might surprise you!

Chemical Free Home Landscaping

julie collins — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:48:28 +0000

See below for links to materials related to the May 13 program: “Chemical-Free Home Landscaping,” presented by Sarah Neville from the Midwest Pesticide Action Center.

ChemicalFreeLawnCare –this is the powerpoint she presented.

Activists_Toolkit

NLCCalendar

NaturalLawnCareforHomeowners

MidwestNaturalLawnCareComp~1

ReadYourWeeds

Chicago Green Festival

mreynolds — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:25:41 +0000

Looking for something to do Saturday, May 18 or Sunday, May 19? Check out the Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago). The festival includes eco-fashion exhibits, hands-on workshops, live music, and much more. Also be sure to check out the Green Marketplace, which features products and services from local and national green and sustainable businesses and organizations.

The festival hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information visit the Green Festival Chicago website.

Eco-friendly Kitchen Tips from the Food Network

julie collins — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:52:08 +0000

The Food Network has 10 Eco Friendly Kitchen Tips on their website. Here are just a few ideas that offer some very simple ideas to help make a difference.
Keep an eye on the “9.”
If the numbered stickers on fruits and veggies start with the #9, that means your produce is organic and free of pesticides.
B.Y.O.B. – “bring your own bag.”
More and more supermarkets are selling reuseable shopping bags. Take advantage of this option and stop using plastic bags whenever possible.
Grill it!
You can reduce the cost of Air Conditioning bills by grilling outdoors. An outdoor grill not only takes less energy than your stove but also helps keep heat out of the house.
Chill out.
Another way to save cooling and electicity costs is to fill empty space in your refrigerator or freezer with crumpled newspapers or full water bottles.

To see the entire list go to the Food Network: 10 Eco Friendly Kitchen Tips

Earth Day Events 2013

mreynolds — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:00:57 +0000

This year Earth Day is Monday, April 22. Check out these local activities to celebrate Mother Earth:

E-cycle event: On Saturday, April 20, recycle your old computers, digital cameras, cell phones and more at the Friendship Park Conservatory (395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines) between 9 a.m. and Noon. This free event is sponsored by the Mount Prospect Park District and Com 2 Recycling. For more information, call 847-298-3500.

Earth Day fun for adults and kids: Visit the Friendship Park Conservatory (395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines) on Saturday, April 20, between 1 and 3 p.m. to attend a tour of their greenhouse and get some gardening and lawn care tips. Kids activities include planting seeds and decorating clay pots. Admission is free. For more information, call 847-298-3500.

Go beyond Earth and check out the stars: Celebrate everything celestial beginning at 5:30 p.m. when Northwest Suburban Astronomers and the Harper College Department of Physical Sciences host Astronomy Day 2013. The even takes place at Harper College (1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine). Indoor and outdoor telescopes will be available, plus a number of displays and programs. For more information, go to the North Suburban Astronomers website.

Rummage sale: Pick up some reasonably priced treasures on Friday and Saturday (April 19 and 20) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church (407 N. Main Street, Mount Prospect). The twenty-eighth annual sale features clothing, household tools, books, CDs, toys and more. A bake sale and hot dog lunch will be available. For more information, call 847-392-3111.

Join the ride: Ditch your car and join the Mt. Prospect Bike Club on Saturday (April 21) at 8:45 a.m. for a 30-35 mile tour of area forest preserves. Participants meet at Lion’s Park (411 S. Maple Street, Mount Prospect). A stop for lunch at Culver’s concludes the ride. For more information, email ken.brey@dmcinfo.com.

Recycling at Public Works

mreynolds — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:46:44 +0000

Starting April 3, the Mount Prospect Public Works Department will again accept residentially generated electronic waste for recycling every Wednesday between 10 a.m. and Noon. The service will run until October. Accepted items include computers, monitors, DVD players, keyboards, printers, scanners, televisions, VHS players, and zip drives. Unacceptable materials include air conditioners, answering machines, blenders, camcorders, video games, copy machines, digital cameras, home appliances, microwaves, power tools/cords, shredders, stereo equipment and toasters. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 847-870-5640 or email them at publicworksdept@mountprospect.org.

The Public Works Department (1700 W. Central Rd.) also accepts household batteries, compact fluorescent and fluorescent tube lights, and pharmaceuticals for recycling and/or proper disposal. Those materials can be dropped off at the Public Works Building between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Electronics Recycling

mreynolds — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:17:40 +0000

Did you know it’s against the law to throw your electronics in the trash? Here’s an easy and environmentally friendly way to recycle your electronic devices. The Mount Prospect Park District will hold an E-Cycling Event on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, at the Friendship Park Conservatory (395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines) from 9 a.m. to Noon each day. White appliances (refrigerators, ovens, water heaters, etc.) and monitors with broken glass will NOT be accepted. For more information, call 847-298-3500.

DIY Event

mreynolds — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:28:13 +0000

The Kenneth Young Center Resale Shop (1150 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg) will host a re-purposing event on Wednesday, April 3, at 9 a.m.

Customers will have the opportunity to view live demonstrations on how to renew, re-purpose and “up cycle” various household items. Pick up some crafty ideas and support the Center, which provides mental health and senior services to the community.

For more information, call 847-524-8800 or visit the Kenneth Young Center website.

Glass Slipper Project

mreynolds — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:18:43 +0000

Got a closet full of old prom dresses? Do you even still have the matching shoes? Here’s a great way to re-cycle them. The Glass Slipper Project is currently collecting prom dresses and accessories for its annual distribution to students who are unable to purchase their own prom dresses and accessories.

The nearest drop-off location is Zengler Cleaners (550 Dundee Road, Northbrook). For more info, go to Glass Slipper Project.

A Green Idea for the New Year

julie collins — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:27:54 +0000

Would you like to get less junk mail and get a fresh start on the New Year? According to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC): “The average American receives 41 pounds of junk mail per year, of which 44% ends up in a landfill. There are environmental and monetary costs to create, transport, sort, process, manufacture and dispose of these materials.”

Take a look at this link on the SWANCC website. This will provide you with information on removing your name from many lists to eliminate junk mail from things like; charities and non-profit organizations, flyers and advertising supplements, and everyone’s favorite the pre-approved credit card offers, just to name a few. Give it a try and start reducing that paper from your mailbox.