Environmental Committee News:
Plastic Bag Facts
Approximately 380 billion plastic bags are used in the
U.S. every year.
Approximately 100 billion of those are
plastic shopping bags.
An estimated 12 million barrels of oil are required to manufacture those plastic bags.
Less than 2% of plastic bags in the USA are recycled.
Single use plastic bags made of HDPE can remain in the environment for as much as 1,000 years.
Over 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles worldwide are killed by plastic trash every year.
How can you help make a difference?
Use reusable shopping bags. Many grocery stores are now selling cloth shopping bags. The internet has many sources with bags made from various materials such as organic cotton and hemp, recycled plastic soda bottles, vinyl banners and rubber. Here is a quick list of links.
If you would like to help our committee in other ways such as contribute an article or have a topic that you would like more information about, please contact us through the rectory office or call
630-240-4595.
Spring Into Action-Environmentally Friendly Lawn Care
Over the past fifty years, the plush green lawn has become the pride of suburban America. This desire for the perfect lawn is leading millions of households across the nation to expose their children, pets and water supplies to toxic fertilizers and pesticides that threaten public health and the environment. Every year homeowners apply at least 90 million pounds of pesticide to their lawns and gardens. The pesticide in most "weed and feed" products, 2,4-D, is a neurotoxicant and contains half the ingredients in Agent Orange.
There are risks, says the Environmental Protection Agency: "Pesticides can cause harm to humans, animals or the environment because they are designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms." Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey show 2,4-D is the number one herbicide most frequently detected in streams and ground water from home and garden use.
The fact is that it can actually damage the health of lawns by harming microorganisms, beneficial insects and earthworms which are essential to maintaining healthy soil.
The good news is that there are many ways you can continue having the plush green lawn for your neighbors to envy without the harmful chemicals. Please keep watching this space for specific ideas on lawn and garden care.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Regular Alkaline household batteries, AA, AAA (Alkaline is printed on the side) can be disposed of in regular household waste. If you're not sure or uncomfortable with throwing them in the garbage, take them to Batteries Plus.
All other batteries can be taken to BATTERIES PLUS stores for proper disposal. The closest Batteries Plus store is at 240 E. Roosevelt Rd, Villa Park - next to Blockbuster. 279-3589.
DON'T FORGET: Used computers, monitors, office machines, DVD players and more can be recycled at UNITEC, 320 S. Cornell, Villa Park. 279-5750
Clean Air Counts: Clean Air Counts is a northeastern Illinois regional initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions, thereby improving air quality and enabling economic development.
PAINT DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
Oil based stains and paints including those containing lead, cadmium or mercury are considered hazardous and should be brought to the Regional Hazardous Waste Facility at 1971 Brookdale Rd., Fire Station #4, Naperville. 630-420-4190
Dates and times are: Sat & Sun 9AM- 3PM
Latex based paints less than 10 years old can often be recycled for reuse. IEPA through the “Partners in Paint Program” will accept latex paint from residents, blend it and make it available to residents free of charge. If you have latex paint you want to get rid of, or you want to obtain recycled paint, contact:
Du Page County Waste Treatment Facility 630-985-7400
7900 S. Rte 53, Woodridge
Dates and times are: June 4 thru Aug 10 Mon - Fri 8AM - 2PM
Saturdays June 16 & 30, Jul 14 & 28 and Aug 4 from8AM - 2PM
www.Dupageco.org
Mark your calendar: Lombard Recycling Extravaganza Saturday Sept 15 |
