Keepin' It Green - Online Newsletters

May, 2009           February, 2009          November, 2008 

40th Anniversary of Earth Day
April 22, 2010

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever.  While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, clean energy economy now and for the future.

 Rain Barrel Sale

Did you know…Residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption in a given municipality?  Rain barrels not only store water, they help decrease demand during the sweltering summer months.  Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel.  Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free "soft water" containing no chlorine, lime or calcium.  Because it tends to have fewer types of sediment and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropical plants like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows.  Saving water in this manner will reduce you demand for treated tap water, and save money by lowering your monthly bill.

A good formula to remember: 1 inch of rain on a 1,000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000.

The Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently accepting orders for rain barrels.  The deadline for orders is May 1, 2009.  The 2009 sale will include grey and terra cotta color 55 gallon rain barrels, along with 55 gallon black tumbling composters.  Questions regarding the sale can be directed to the District Office by phone at 847-223-1056 or by email lcswcd@sbcglobal.net.

 Fat Trappers

Are you pouring your cooking grease down the drain?  Cooking grease and used cooking oil should never be poured down the drain.  Doing so can cause grease blockages in your home’s plumbing or in the public sewer collection system.  The Village Environmental Quality Department has a supply of Fat Trappers available FREE to Village residents.  A Fat Trapper is a plastic container that comes with a re-sealable foil lined bag.  Simply pour your grease into the bag, close the top, and place the bag into your Fat Trapper.  When the bag is full, simply place it in with your regular garbage.  Replacement bags can be obtained from the Village for no charge.   

Reuse-A-Shoe Campaign

We are now in our second year of recycling used athletic shoes.  Every year, millions of shoes are thrown into the landfill – when they could be recycled.  Nike has a program in which shoes are ground up and used in the manufacturing of playgrounds and tracks at schools.  Not only are we saving landfill space, but it cuts down the cost of building new schools.  There are a number of places here in Wauconda to drop off your used athletic shoes (they must contain no metal and cannot be high heels, dress shoes, etc.).  Please contact ‘Keepin’ It Green’ at waucondagreenteam@gmail.com  for a list of drop-off sites.  So far, we’ve collected over 1,000 pairs of shoes.  Let’s keep it going!

Adopt-A-Roadway

The Village of Wauconda recently started a new program – picking up litter along our Village streets!  We are in need of groups – businesses, communities of worship, families and friends – who want to ‘adopt’ a street or two, and pick up the litter along that stretch of road three times per year.  The Village will provide you with trash bags and beautiful vests to make sure your group stays visible while you work.  Contact the Wauconda Public Works Department at (847) 526-9610 for more information.

Adopt-A-Hydrant

Each volunteer group is assigned a neighborhood or group of hydrants to refurbish.  When your group applies, you may choose the group to adopt as long as it has not been selected by another group.  Volunteer groups agree to help improve the appearance of the hydrants on a one-time basis, or to be responsible for their upkeep over a longer period - whichever your group prefers.

In return for this partnership, the Village will recognize your group with a certificate of appreciation from the Mayor that will be presented to your group at a Village Board meeting.   Your group will also be highlighted in the Village newsletter as official Adopt-A-Hydrant program participants.   The Village will provide paint, painting supplies, and safety vests for your volunteers.

Just about any group can do this.  It's a great opportunity for all types of organizations, including scout troops, homeowners groups, church groups, activity and teen groups, small and large businesses, clubs, service organizations and senior citizen groups.  Crew members must be a minimum of 10 years old.  Participants between the ages of 10 to 18 must have adult supervision at a ratio of one adult for every five youth.

Electronics Recycling

Wauconda features a household electronics recycling program for all residents.  There are two options.  The first is to bring your electronics to the Township Building on Bonner Road on the first Saturday of the month from 9am to 12pm.  CERT members will be available to help you unload your items.  The second is to bring your items Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30am to the Public Works facility located at 302 Slocum Lake Rd.  Public Works staff are available to help residents with larger items.  Items accepted include televisions, computers, small appliances, and stereos.  They will NOT accept any hazardous waste or chemicals during this collection.  For more information, please visit http://www.wauconda-il.gov/pdf/ElectronicRecyclingProgram.pdf. 

Reusable Shopping Bags

Think about how many plastic or paper shopping bags you go through when grocery shopping.  The average person will go through six per week and 350-500 per year!  Now think about how many of those end up in our landfills – and they don’t biodegrade.  Many stores are selling reusable shopping bags (typically they’re green and cost about $1).  Using them will help our environment tremendously.  Together, we can make a difference!

For more information on the United Partnership, please go to www.unitedpartnership.org.