» GLENCOE GOES GREEN

» Getting in the Recycling Loop!

Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC)
Getting in the Recycling Loop!

Glencoe is a member community of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), which offers many recycling programs to its members.

SWANCC publishes a Recycling Etc. community newsletter that is full of recycling information about computers and electronic equipment, document destruction events, compact fluorescent lighbulb (CFL) recycling, medication and “sharps” disposal, household chemical waste collections and much more.

You can access this newsletter and other SWANCC information by clicking on its website at www.swancc.org. You can also subscribe to SWANCC’s Elist to receive reminders via email about upcoming events. Visit www.elist@swancc.org to sign up.


Glencoe Goes Green!   » ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE TIPS

With spring around the corner, there are some environmental landscape tips that you can practice. Please consider the following, and if you use a landscape maintenance firm, share these ideas with them to help Glencoe Goes Green:
  1. Set lawn mowers to a higher setting as longer grass blades promote deeper root growth and healthier lawns.
  2. Avoid pruning plants during drought periods as pruning stimulates growth and requires more water.
  3. Apply fertilizers using properly calibrated spreaders and sprayers and consider using organic products.
  4. Set automated watering systems to water at night and water judiciously, according to plant needs.
  5. Use soaker hoses to place water where it is needed, near plant roots, as sprinklers lose water to evaporation.
  6. Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch to new plantings to moderate soil temperature and reduce watering needs.
 
Glencoe Goes Green!   » COMPACT FLUORSCENT LIGHTBULB (CFL) RECYCLING PROGRAM

Glencoe is participating in the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) new recycling initiative for compact fluorescent bulbs. Details are posted on SWANCC's website at www.swancc.org.

If a CFL is broken, residents should implement the following proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:
  1. Sweep up all glass fragments and fine particles with a piece of cardboard, do not vacuum.
  2. Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well, and place in the garbage.
Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs, the greatest risk of a bulb breaking is getting cut from glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk should a bulb break and is cleaned up properly.