Recent News

• Where to Recycle Your Christmas Tree or Broken Holiday Lights January 7, 2021
  Not sure what to do with your live tree and old or broken light strings post-holidays? There are many opportunities to recycle these items in Cook County. Make your holiday season a little more sustainable this year by keeping holiday waste out of the landfill. Drop-off sites open to all Cook County residents: […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Pumpkin Smash to avoid the landfill October 29, 2020
  It’s October and there are pumpkins everywhere! Many households like to use pumpkins for a colorful decoration this time of year and if you celebrate Halloween you probably carve your pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. But what do you do with your Halloween pumpkins when November arrives? If you usually just throw it in the trash there […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Smart Thermostat Rebates Available To Help Cut Energy Bills September 22, 2020
  Residents across northern Illinois are eligible for significant rebates on smart thermostats that can cut in half the cost of the device. Smart thermostats are devices that connect to Wi-Fi and allow remote control of heating and air conditioning settings in homes through smart phones, tablets and computers.  They can help increase comfort, convenience and control […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Earth Month Resources Recap August 13, 2020
  Missed our Earth Month 2020 on Twitter? We have compiled all of those resources here, in one convenient location. For our Earth Month, DES focused on providing resources and actions that assisted in reducing emissions from waste, energy, and transportation that could be done from home. Make an Impact from Home: Resources […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Solarize Chicagoland Program Returns for Second Year June 17, 2020
  After exceeding last year’s goals with more than 120 properties committed to installing solar, the Solarize Chicagoland program kicks off this week for residents in Cook County. For the second year in a row, Cook County is co-sponsoring Solarize Chicagoland, a program aimed at making solar more affordable and easier to attain for […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Save Energy and Money at Home Webinar May 4, 2020
  Join Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability and Citizens Utility Board for a webinar about how to save money and energy at home. This webinar is being co-sponsored by Cook County Commissioners Alma E. Anaya, Luis Arroyo Jr., John P. Daley, Bridget Degnen, Brandon Johnson, Donna Miller, Kevin Morrison, and Larry Suffredin. […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Cook County Releases 2019 Sustainability Report April 22, 2020
  Today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released the Cook County 2019 Annual Sustainability Report. The report showcases the work the County has done in its pledge to create a more sustainable and environmentally safer community. Report highlights include Cook County’s reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, transportation, waste […]
  Sarah Edwards
• CURBSIDE COLLECTION of Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste: Potential Service Changes, Guidance and Recommendations Related to COVID-19 March 31, 2020
  In the event that waste haulers limit extra services like collecting bulk items, delaying landscape collection and combining recycling and waste in your community, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability provides the following guidelines and alternatives. Remember: For specifics on your program, please check directly with your municipality or hauler. 1.If there is […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Dirty Dozen: Only flatten cardboard and corrugated boxes. No crushing other containers! March 3, 2020
  Although flattening containers, like cartons, plastic bottles, and cans, may save room in your recycling bin, please don’t do it. Crushing these items leads to issues in single stream recycling systems. However, you should flatten cardboard & corrugated boxes (see benefits of flattening boxes below). Single Stream Recycling If you put all your recyclables into […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Diapers and Needles, Oh My! February 13, 2020
  CCDES is a member of the Illinois Recycling Contamination Task Force, a group that addresses pressing recycling issues throughout the state. To answer specific recycling questions, the task force has launched the Dirty Dozen Campaign. Each month, a different recycling issue will be addressed. This month, we are exploring biohazardous materials.   There is a lot of […]
  Sarah Edwards