Photographs courtesy of the National Park Service

Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who partnered with the Department of Environmental Control to make the 2013 Earth Day clean-up events a success:

Friends of the Park

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Blue Island Bike Club

National Park [...]]]>

Bryant Williams from the Cook County Department of Environmental Control introduces President Preckwinkle while Forest Preserve District Superintendent Arnold Randall looks on at the Whistler Woods Clean-up event.

President Preckwinkle greets volunteers at the Whistler Woods Clean-up event.

Photographs courtesy of the National Park Service

Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who partnered with the Department of Environmental Control to make the 2013 Earth Day clean-up events a success:

Friends of the Park

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Blue Island Bike Club

National Park Service

Major Taylor Bike Club

Southeast Environmental Task Force

Chicago Park District

E-Scrap Technologies

Cook County Sheriff’s Department

For more information or to learn about other pharmaceutical disposal opportunities, call the Environmental Control Department at 312-603-8200.

April [...]]]> In recognition of Earth Day the Cook County Department of Environmental Control is participating in several events this month that will include electronics recycling and prescription drug take-back opportunities.

For more information or to learn about other pharmaceutical disposal opportunities, call the Environmental Control Department at 312-603-8200.

April 17, from 9am-3pm                                                                                                                                                                   South Suburban College Earth Awareness Day                                                                                                                          South Suburban College                                                                                                                                                                     15800 S. State St., South Holland, IL
Prescription Drug Take-Back Event                                                                                                 www.southsuburbancollege.edu/en_US/News_Events_Information/Calendar/event.asp?eID=5144.

April 20, from 9am to 12pm                                                                                                                                                       Busse Woods, Grove 24
Elk Grove Village , IL
Electronics Recycling, Prescription Drug Take-Back, Forest Preserve Clean-Up
www.earthdaychicago.com/events/earthday-reg.aspx

April 20, from 9am to 12pm                                                                                                                                                       Friends of the Parks Earth Day/Parks & Preserves Clean-up
Whistler Woods
134th St. and Halsted, Riverdale, IL
Electronics Recycling, Bike Repair, Scavenger Hunt, Ceremony with President Toni Preckwinkle

April 20, from 10am to 2pm 
Oak Park Earth Fest
Oak Park Public Works Center
201 S. Blvd, Oak Park, IL
Hands on Activities focusing on zero-waste and Prescription Drug Take-Back Event
www.oak-park.us/earthfest/

April 20 from 9am to 2pm  
Earth Day Festival
Village Green, Northbrook, IL
Many activities, including Radon Awareness and Test Kit Ordering

May 4 from 9am to 1pm       
Community Recycling Event
Triton College
2000 Fifth Ave, River Grove, IL
Electronics Recycling and Prescription Drug Take Back, Clothes/Shoes Recycling www.triton.edu/NewsAndEvents_detail.aspx?id+18731     

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK EVENTS***

For the April 17^th  event at South Suburban College and the April 20^th event at Oak Park the following are NOT allowed:  controlled substances and infectious medical waste (needles).  Inhalers and mercury thermometers WILL be accepted.

For the April 20^th Busse Woods and the May 4^th Triton College event the following are NOT accepted:  infectious medical waste, aerosols, liquids or thermometers.

At each of the three-hour workshops, attendees will learn [...]]]>

Ortiz Brothers Deconstruction Project underway in Glencoe

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control and The Rebuilding Exchange will host six free public workshops during March to educate contractors, municipal workers and the general public about the County’s Demolition, Debris and Diversion Ordinance, which came into effect last November.

At each of the three-hour workshops, attendees will learn about:

-          How to meet requirements quickly and cost-effectively

-          The best materials for deconstruction and reuse

-          Tools, resources and markets available to help them meet their deconstruction targets

-          How to communicate about deconstruction and recycling to clients and colleagues.

-          The process and market for reclaimed and recycled building materials

-          The role for municipal employees in explaining and enforcing the ordinance

-         Implications for local government processes and policies

There will be two types of workshops:

1. Sessions geared to municipal workers on March 13^th and 14^th

2. Sessions geared for contractors on March 20^th, 21^st, 27^th, and 28^th

The general public is welcome to attend either session. The times for each session are 8am – 11am and they will take place at The Rebuilding Exchange, 1740 W. Webster Ave, Chicago IL

For more information or for registration, please visit www.eventbrite.com/org/3269275850?s=12433766 (for municipal workers) or www.eventbrite.com/org/3269187234?s=12430218 (for contractors) contact Sean Terry at Delta Institute (sterry@delta-institute.org). Remember – this project general public is encouraged to attend either session.

  January is Radon Awareness Month

The Cook County Radon Awareness Program is encouraging residents of Cook County to test their home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into a house through cracks in the basement floor and walls, around the openings of the sump pump [...]]]>  

  January is Radon Awareness Month

The Cook County Radon Awareness Program is encouraging residents of Cook County to test their home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into a house through cracks in the basement floor and walls, around the openings of the sump pump or through crawl spaces.  However, it is easy to test for and to fix your home. With people spending more time indoors due to the cold weather now is the ideal time to test.

“Testing for radon is one of the easiest and smartest things people can do to protect their homes and families from this serious health risk,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Addressing high radon levels greatly reduces exposure to the second leading cause of lung cancer.”

Radon occurs naturally from the decay of uranium in the soil and can accumulate to dangerous levels inside the home. Elevated levels of the colorless, odorless gas are the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Elevated levels of this health hazard in homes, schools, workplaces, and other buildings can be prevented through these simple steps:

• Test: All buildings with or without basements should be tested for radon. Testing kits can be obtained for only $7 by calling the Cook County Department of Environmental Control at 708-865-6177. Leave your name, address and phone number. Affordable Do-It-Yourself radon test kits are also available online and at home improvement and hardware stores, or a qualified radon tester can be hired.

• Fix: EPA recommends taking action to fix radon levels at or above 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L) and contacting a qualified radon-reduction contractor.

• Save a Life: 21,000 Americans die from radon related lung cancer each year, but by addressing elevated levels, you can help prevent lung cancer while creating a healthier home and community.

Additional information can be found here:

Radon Information Flier Radon Flier 2013

Radon Citizen’s Guide Radon -Citizen Guide

photo: jbloom

Cook County Residents can help the environment by keeping  unused medications out of the waste stream. The EPA has asked people not to flush old medications, as trace elements have been found in groundwater.  Each year, close to 5,000 tons of pharmaceutical and personal care products enter the waste stream.  Many survive water [...]]]>  

Cook County Residents can help the environment by keeping  unused medications out of the waste stream. The EPA has asked people not to flush old medications, as trace elements have been found in groundwater.  Each year, close to 5,000 tons of pharmaceutical and personal care products enter the waste stream.  Many survive water treatment processes and end up in drinking water.  Medicines improperly disposed of end up in landfills, leading to the potential of accidental overdose by animals and humans.

Residents can drop off unused prescription drugs at: 

Cook County Medication Take-Back Program

Hanover Park Municipal Complex

2121 W. Lake St., Hanover Park, IL

When is the Event? 

Saturday, September 15th from 9am-1pm

Who can come to the event? Is there a fee?

Any residents of Illinois can drop off their medications (click on image above for more details) at no charge.

 What can I expect at the event?

There will be a table staffed by a pharmacist who will review your old medication and accept it for disposal. Use a permanent marker to black out your name or personal information from the label. Please be aware we do not accept SHARPS or NEEDLES.

The Cook County Environmental Control Department will also have low-cost Radon Test Kits available for purchase.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil, and water from the natural decay of uranium. While levels in outdoor air pose a relatively low threat to human health, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings. Because you can’t see, smell, or taste it, its important to test your home for elevated radon levels that could affect the health of your family.

Tips for Dropping off your medication

• Use a permanent marker to black out your name or personal information on the prescription label.
• Take medications to the collection site ONLY during the drop-off site’s open hours of operation.
• Please follow directions at the drop-off site carefully. Only give medications to personnel of the drop-off site.
• This is NOT a share or reuse opportunity. All medications received will be destroyed in an environmentally responsible manner.

What medications can I bring?

• Over-the counter medications
• Medicated ointments
• Medicated shampoos
• Liquids containing medications
• Prescription inhalers
• Over-the-counter inhalers
• Glass thermometers containing mercury
• Medical devices containing mercury (blood pressure units, barometers, etc.)

What is NOT accepted at the event?

• Sharps/needles
• DEA-controlled substances, including narcotic medications and illegal drugs
• Bio-hazardous materials
• Radioactive materials
• Other household wastes