On Saturday, September 11, the Environmental Defenders Recycling Drive will return to McHenry to collect fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam™, household and car batteries, and other toxic items that might otherwise wind up in landfills. Local volunteers will be on hand from 9 a.m. - noon to receive recyclable items at the Metra train station parking lot, 4005 Main Street in downtown McHenry.
The group accepts fluorescent tubes, which contain mercury and must be properly recycled to prevent contamination in landfills, and from there into groundwater. They also collect household batteries, car batteries, packing peanuts and re-usable, un-popped bubble wrap.
Area residents may drive up and drop off their recyclables. Defenders volunteers will help unload and sort the materials. A small donation is requested to offset the cost of processing some hazardous waste materials.
The Woodstock-based nonprofit group holds a public recycling collection on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between McHenry in odd-numbered months and Woodstock in even-numbered months. At the McHenry collection, they also pay for some items, such as aluminum cans, brass and copper.
Household batteries should be recycled rather than thrown in the trash, says Alice Howenstine of rural McHenry, who organizes the local drive. The group also accepts clean, white Styrofoam™ from electronics and other large, boxed items. Defenders member Ken Santowski, who is Lakewood village trustee, brings his own truck each month to transport the bulky material. Styrofoam food containers pose a different problem, Howenstine says. “If there’s any food residue at all, they can’t process it,” she explained. “Food containers must be washed completely clean, or the recyclers won’t take them.”
For more information about the Environmental Defenders Recycling Day schedule and the types of materials accepted, visit or phone their Woodstock office at (815) 338-0393.
The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. For membership or program information, e-mail mcdef.outreach@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment