It’s Spring and it’s Earth Week!

It’s spring and it’s Earth Week!   In celebration, Cook County invites you to join us at one or more of these events:

April 16, 8 am-5 pm–South Suburban College Earth Day. (15800 S. State St., South Holland).  The Cook County Department of Environmental Control will host a Prescription Drug Give Back. The very same medications that can help you, can be extremely harmful to aquatic life and human health, if improperly disposed of.  Let the Cook County Department of Environmental Control and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency dispose of your expired or unneeded medications in an environmentally responsible manner for you.

At our Prescription Drug Give Back events, we can take:

• prescription or over-the-counter medication;
• ointments and liquids as well as pills;
• inhalers,
• thermometers or other medical devices containing mercury, and
• sharps such as needles.

Use a permanent marker to black out your name or personal information on any prescription label.   Be sure to follow directions at the drop-off site.   We thank our partners in these events from the Cook County Sheriff and the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.

April 20, 10am-2pm–Cook County and City of Chicago Earth Day Resource Fair in the first floor Lobby of 118 N. Clark St, Chicago IL.  Come learn about the Cook County Department of Environmental control’s programs and services, sign up to get a low-cost Radon Test Kit for your home, and visit the booths of our many City and County partners, including the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, ComEd and People’s Gas for utility rebates on appliances and energy efficiency investments, and many others.

April 21, 9:30 am – 2 pm–Northbrook Earth Day/Arbor Day Event at Village Green.  Corner of Shermer and Meadow. Events range from a clean-up to recycling.  Radon testing kits will be available from the Cook County Department of Environmental Control.   Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, and can get into the air you breath inside buildings.  Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk of health damages from radon.   It’s fast, easy and inexpensive.

April 21, 10am-2pm–Oak Park Earth Fest. Oak Park Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard.  The Department of Environmental Control will host a Prescription Drug Give Back.  Some of the other activities include:

• Free composting and organic gardening consultation
• Canning demonstrations
• Recycled art projects for kids
• Car sharing information

• Shedd Aquarium’s Right Bite, with information about sustainable seafood
• Energy efficiency tips
• Information on eco-friendly landscaping
• Details on raising chickens in Oak Park

April 21, 9:30am-2:30pm–2012 Earth Day Celebration! at Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine. Join Cook County Board President Preckwinkle at noon as she celebrates Earth Day with the Cook County Forest Preserve District, Deer Grove Natural Area Volunteers, Friends of Deer Grove East, Openlands, and the Sierra Club. Come early and spend the day – festivities will include hands-on ecological restoration, lunch, fun family activities and educational tours.

Meet at Deer Grove East Forest Preserve, Grove 2, Palatine 60067.  Entrance is on the North side of Dundee Road between Quentin Road and Hicks Road. Just bring your Spring Cleaning Spirit and wear gloves, long pants, work shoes, and bug and tick repellent. Organization sponsors will supply the rest.

We are all looking forward to a busy Earth Week.  See you in Cook County!