Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

Mission: Our goal is to engage the community's participation in the three R's of Reduce, ReUse, Recycle - at home, on the street and in local businesses

​EESP will promote organized recycle/waste events, make presentations and post media alerts to encourage re-use and zero waste reduction practices. Watch for these notifications especially around Clean & Green/ Earth Day events in April.

The following were the original goals of the Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle plan. Shown in bold the current status
  • Blue Cart expansion;   Chicago expanded Blue Cart pick up to the entire city
  • Education on the three R's via social media, events, presentations; Flyers, facebook & newsletter tips
  • Support & encourage shopping at local re-use businesses;  Reminders in newsletters & facebook posts
  • Standard yard waste pick-up will be championed (with city and then private haulers); Not standard yet
  • Recruit & train Recycling Block Captains and a specific EESP Chair to help support them; Done (Meg Ramir)
  • Add recycle bins for mid rise+ buildings; City ordinance passed with fines for non compliance-1/1/17 
  • Support passing recycling measures (e.g. food compost pick up legislation; plastic bag ordinance) Completed
3 Rs Current Activities
2018
Edgewater Glen Spring Plant Swap  Sat. May 26 from 10am til noon - EESP supports our neighborhood's green activities.    

 24th Annual Edgewater Yard Sale: Saturday, June 2, 2018 9:00 to 3:00 pm.  Over 100 tables throughout the neighborhood with treasures for sale.
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For prior years actions, go to the dashboard and link to Activities>Past Activities 
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Committee Members of Resource Conservation Category (Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle)
Members                                                                 Name                                         Email
CoChair                                                                           Jen Walling                             jwalling@ilenviro.org
Vice Chair & RBC EESP Administrator                   Meg Ramir                               megramir@sbcglobal.net
Member                                                                          Allen Stryczek                         allen.stryczek@sbcglobal.net
Worth a Special Mention: Chicago Schools Participate in a Coalition to Reduce Waste
In 2015, an alliance of the largest school boards* in the U.S. has opted to spend a bit more on compostable plates in order to cut down on waste.

There will be 225 million fewer polystyrene lunch trays in American landfills each  year, thanks to a decision made by the Urban School Food Alliance. The Alliance, which is a coalition of the largest school boards in the United States, has opted to ditch the traditional rectangular polystyrene lunch tray in favor of a round compostable plate.

Mark Izeman of the National Resources Defense Council said: “Shifting from polystyrene trays to compostable plates will allow these cities to dramatically slash waste sent to landfills, reduce plastics pollution in our communities and oceans, and create valuable compost that can be re-used on our farms. We are proud to work with a group of school systems dedicated to driving landmark changes in the health and sustainability of school food.”
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*New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami,  Dallas, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston