Recycling and Composting for Waste Reduction
Recycling consumer goods, food scraps and yard waste is an important part of reducing waste and preserving our natural environment. Recycling reduces the production and consumption of raw materials by reusing materials that have already been processed. It saves the energy and water that would be used to process these materials and it decreases pollution and greenhouse gasses from landfills.
The first steps before you recycle are to rethink, refuse, reduce and reuse. Be a thoughtful consumer, and find new ways to consume less. Recycling should be the last resort.
Before buying anything, ask yourself:
- Do I really need this item? Is it worth the cost to the environment?
- Could I borrow it, rent it, or buy it secondhand?
- Is it made from renewable or nonrenewable resources?
- Can it be reused or recycled? Will it decompose? How will I dispose of it?
- Can it be maintained and repaired?
- Is the item packaged in an earth-friendly way?
- Did you bring your reusable shopping bags with you?
- Check out this great video, The Majestic Plastic Bag
CURBSIDE RECYCLING
Village of Wilmette uses LRS for recycling and yard waste/composting:
- LRS Recycling Guide
- Village of Wilmette Curbside Recycling Guide
- Yard Waste & Organic Material Guide
SPECIAL RECYCLING COLLECTIONS
The Village of Wilmette and Wilmette Public Works also offer opportunities throughout the year to recycle items that are not accepted in curbside recycling. More information for the items listed below can be found here:
- Automotive Materials
- Batteries
- CFL Bulbs & Fluorescent Tubes
- Drug Disposal Program
- Electronics
- Hazardous Waste
- Paint
- Seasonal
- Holiday Lights
- Christmas Trees
- Pumpkins
- Foam/Polystyrene/Styrofoam
- Bubble Wrap and Plastic Film
- Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) holds one-day drop-off events. Events sites will be posted on the SWANCC website in April of each year.
- Styrofoam can also be taken by individual residents to Abt Electronics, or to Mount Prospect Public Works, who recently added a Styrofoam densifier available to all Illinois residents.
COMPOSTING
Composting food scraps and yard waste saves energy, reduces waste, helps grow your garden and saves money. There are three ways to compost in Wilmette:
- Compost at home
- Arrange for compost pick up at The Urban Canopy or Wastenot Compost
- Use the LRS curbside yard waste program, which hold yard waste and food scraps
- Village Drop-Off composting bins have been placed at various locations around the village. See this page for details
RESOURCES
- Solid Waste Agency of Cook County
- Village of Wilmette’s Refuse, Recycling & Yard Waste Program
- The Story of Stuff
- Be a Mindful Consumer
- How to Compost
- GGW 4 Ways to Compost Flyer
