If it’s made from paperboard, it must be recyclable, right? Not always! Frozen food boxes pose a challenge to the recycling process. Paperboard boxes that were designed for freezer foods, such as frozen pizza and entrées, are impregnated with a plastic polymer to protect against freezer burn. The plastic prevents the box from […]
Click here for more →Have a busted strand of lights? Cat attack the tree again? Before you send the strand to the landfill, consider visiting a recycling drop off location. The copper, metal, and plastic from the lights will be separated and recycled in these specialized processes. Due to the specific process needed, be sure to keep holiday […]
Click here for more →CCDES is a member of the Illinois Recycling Contamination Task Force, a group convened to handle the 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. For November, we explore the plastic bag dilemma.
Plastic […]
Click here for more →Cook County is doing its part to help stem climate change.
The county is exceeding its target for reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from its buildings, the County’s 2015 Sustainability Report shows.
The County’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions have decreased by 11 percent since they were measured in 2010, an achievement that surpasses its target of […]
Click here for more →Cook County’s award-winning Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance was discussed by a group of architects, interior designers and reuse specialists on November 11. Hosted by DIRTT Environmental Solutions, the panel featured Cook County’s Sustainability Officer Deborah Stone; DIRTT’s Calgary-based sustainability leader Andrée Iffrig; Andrew Balster, an architect and executive director of nonprofit ARCHEWORKS, a Chicago-based, multidisciplinary, […]
Click here for more →Register for the USEPA Region V’s webinar: Development and Implementation of Cook County’s Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance, on March 5, 2015 12:45 PM CST at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4558174251192515841
Cook County’s Demolition Debris Diversion Ordinance has allowed the County to recycle or reuse 90% of building materials from demolitions and renovations, keeping them out of landfills, reclaiming valuable […]
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On January 1, 2012 it became illegal to dispose of electronic products in your regular trash. Fortunately there are several outlets in Cook County to drop off unwanted electronic products. This video provides additional information on Illinois’ electronics landfill ban as well as resources to help you find a location to drop off those old […]
Click here for more →What are the details about the event?
Crabtree Nature Center
3 Stover Road
Barrington, IL 60010
Saturday, June 23rd
10AM to 2PM
Who can come to the event? Is there a fee?
Any residents of Illinois can drop off their E-waste at no charge.
What can […]
Click here for more →What are the details about the event?
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Ave.
South Holland, IL 60473
Saturday, June 9th
10AM to 2PM
Who can come to the event? Is there a fee?
Any residents of Illinois can drop off their E-waste at no charge.
What can I expect at the […]
Click here for more →A Message from the President
I believe that Cook County should be a world-class model of sustainability. We are working not only to boost sustainability practices throughout County government, but also to join forces with local governments, nonprofits and business, to accomplish more than we could separately in making each of Cook County’s communities sustainable. To further this work, I appointed Deborah Stone as the County’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, and as Director of the Department of Environmental Control. I also recognize that Cook County needs to share ideas and collaborate with a diverse group of community leaders and sustainability experts. In March 2012, I appointed the Cook County Sustainability Advisory Council to help lift our vision higher and give us access to best practices. You can meet the Council members and read more about their mission in the “Advisory Council” section of this website. Toni Preckwinkle,Cook County Board President
Contact Us
Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer
69 W Washington
Room 1900
Chicago, IL 60602
312-603-8200 (o)
312-603-9828(f)
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