Environmental Advisory Commission

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In 2007, Warrenville’s Natural Areas Commission was recreated into the Environmental Advisory Commission to act as a resource and advocate to the City Council and the community at large to help develop educational and informational programs and materials that promote environmental awareness and behavior, as well as to promote and coordinate the City's beautification efforts and to conduct an annual Arbor Day activity in Warrenville. For further information on the Commission's primary roles and responsibilities go to the City's online City Code.

Who We Are
Current Members – Each one of the Commission’s members are volunteers and are dedicated to not only making Warrenville a more beautiful place to live, but to make it a safer City to live in as well. A list of the current members can be found at www.warrenville.il.us/liv_com_citizen-advis.aspx.

Contact the Commission – Do you have any comments on current environmental projects? Do you have any suggestions for future projects or initiatives? Do you have any questions for the Commission about projects or any information on this page? Please feel free to contact the Commission's staff liaison, Ana Vainisi, at avainisi at warrenville.il.us or 630/393-9427.

Meetings/Agendas/Resource Newsletters
Meetings – The EAC typically meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Meetings can last a couple of hours, but the public is always invited and encouraged to attend.

Current Agenda – A link to this month’s EAC agenda can be found on the City's calendar page. If you are interested in any of the topics that will be discussed or have any questions regarding these topics, please feel free to show up. They are more than happy to field any questions you may have.

Current Resource Newsletter – Twice a year, EAC members develop and publish The Resource newsletter, a small publication of local environmental information, tips and news.

Programs and Projects
The EAC is continuously working throughout the community on a variety of tasks and projects. Below is a short list of current projects facing the EAC and a brief description of each. Do you have an idea of an environmental project or program that can benefit our community? If so, send an email to the Commission's staff liaison noted above.

Arbor Day – Each year the EAC works with the community leaders and other businesses in the area to host the annual Arbor Day celebration. From live music to free trees and bushes, the Arbor is a highlight of spring and shouldn’t be missed.

Cool Cities - The EAC is currently working with multiple stakeholder groups within the community to develop a climate action plan in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease dependance on fossil fuels, promote the development of clean energy solutions and reduce waste within our local environment.  With direction from Sierra Club representatives, these stakeholder groups are now working on the creation of strategies to implement these goals on a local level and how to measure success.  If you would like to become part of one of these groups, please feel free to contact the Commission's staff liaison, Ana Vainisi, at avainisi at warrenville.il.us or 630/393-9427.

Click here to review Warrenville's Emissions Profile.

Greenest Region Compact

Route 56 Streetscape Group

Arboricultural and Open Space Manual - The EAC is currently researching environmentally-friendly weed control options, reviewing a parkway tree planting policy, and researching grants for city-wide tree survey

Battery Recycling Program – For 2011, the City is accepting dry-cell type batteries for recycling. Located at City Hall and the Police Department, drop-off boxes will be available (while supplies last) to dispose of batteries in an environmentally friendly manner.

Green Business Award

Recycling/HHW Disposal Information
Disposal of Hazardous Waste – Everyday, hazardous chemicals, heavy metals and other undesirable materials find their way into our landfills and garbage dumps. Many of these items come directly from homes: common items like CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), batteries, car/truck oil, pool chemicals, propane tanks, even expired medications. Each one of these household items makes life easier, but at the end of their usefulness, they must be disposed of properly. By just throwing these items in the garbage, the land, ground water, and even wildlife suffer, possibly for many generations to come. Many of these HHWs can be disposed of safely and close to home. One nearby drop-off facility is Naperville’s Fire Station No. 4 at 1979 Brookdale Road in Naperville. The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. DuPage County's HHW hotline is (630) 407-6760.

Freecycle.org – One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Freecycle is an organization that links people wanting to get rid of everyday items with those that would like to have these items. So instead of finding their way to landfills, things like bicycles, couches, or even grills, find their way to new homes…for FREE. Remember to be responsible and safe in all transactions.

Electronics Recycling – Did you know that you can dispose of small electronics, cell phones, inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges at the local post office? Free postage paid mail back envelopes can be found on display in the lobby. Contents must weigh less than 13 ounces and the envelope must seal completely though.

Effective January 1, 2012, the statewide electronics landfill ban will prohibit residents from disposing of items such as computers, monitors, printers, televisions, fax machines, recorders, mp3 players, video consoles, DVD players, computer accessories, scanners, digital convert boxes, cable receivers, satellite receivers, DVRs, or small scale servers by placing them at the curb.

Many electronics retailers are now accepting these items, however fee may be applied. Throughout DuPage County, there are several free drop-off locations as part of DuPage County’s Electronics Recycling Program. A list of the locations and their hours of operation can be found on the County’s website at:
www.dupageco.org/EDP/Waste_Recycling_and_Energy/1549.

Recycling Portable Power

Cleaning Up a Broken CFL

Other Electronics Recycling – For all other electronic recycling including computer monitors, printers, floppy disks, fax machines, and TVs, search “Electronics” near “60555” at www.Earth911.org.

Permanent Electronics Recycling in the Area:

  • Addison – 2nd Saturday of the month (starting April 9) from 8 am – Noon; 411 Potter Road, Wood Dale; (630) 530-8161.
  • Glendale Heights – Every Thursday (starting May 5) from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm; Glendale Heights Public Services Garage, 1635 Glen Ellyn Road; (630) 462-7418. This location is self-service.
  • Hanover Park – Monday to Friday from 8am – 4pm; Public Works Facility; 2121 W. Lake St; (630) 372-4200.
  • Lisle – 3rd Saturday of the month from 9am to Noon; 4930 Lincoln Ave. (Rt. 53), just south of Ogden and north of the Police Department.
  • Westmont – Every 2nd Friday of the month (starting April 8) from 7 am to 1 pm; Ty Warner Park (parking lot), 660 N. Blackhawk Drive; (630) 981-6200.
  • Wheaton – 2nd Saturday of the month, 9 am to Noon; Public Works Storage Lot on Liberty across from the Public Works Garage, west of Carlton.
  • Wood Dale – 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from Noon to 3 pm; 269 W. Irving Park Road; (630) 766-4900.
  • Items collected are computers, TV's, printers, fax machines, radios, microwaves, vacuum cleaners (please REMOVE dust collection bag), small appliances, (coffee makers, toasters, curling irons, hair dryers), toner cartridges, extension cords, and household Batteries (A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button, NiCd, lithium, all household batteries). No car batteries.

Number 6 - For recycing number 6, visit SCARCE at www.bookrescue.org/docs/StyrofoamRecyclingDartCorp.pdf. To recycle food service and packaging foam products: www.dart.biz or call 1-800-288-CARE.

Rx/Old Medicine - Visit DuPage County's website at www.dupageco.org/EDP/Waste_Recycling_and_Energy/1541/

Environmental Tools and Calculators
Sure, lower carbon emissions are good andresidents should use energy efficient appliances and CFLs, but how do these things really impact our lives, the environment or more importantly, our wallets? Well, below are some calculators that can help show how a lifestyle affects the environment and how small changes can enact big changes in the world.

Low Impact Living Index Calculator – This is a fun calculator that takes many factors into account when showing how our lives impact the environment. After a short five-minute survey
covering topics such as house size, HVAC, appliances, recycling, and transportation, it provides an impact comparison to others as well as ways to reduce the environmental impact. Not only does it provide tips on how to help live a low(er) impact life, it also provides estimated cost savings for each project.

Household Emissions Calculator – This is another lifestyle calculator published by the EPA. After a survey, it provides the respondent with their current carbon emissions, ways to reduce these emissions, as well as savings estimates.

Climate Change Calculator – An interesting take on the above calculators in that after all information has been inputed and it calculates the carbon emissions, it will indicated how many trees to plant to offset these emissions. A definite bonus for the Arbor Day crowds.

Environmental Education Links
www.Earth911.org – A website full of information on almost everything recyclable.
Rain Barrels
Xeriscaping
Conservation at Home
Phosphorus Levels

NICOR Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Midwest Communities take steps to reduce their Carbon Footprints

2011 Annual Report

The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

Warrenville Energy & Emissions Profile

Cool Cities Meeting Presentation