Filed under: Going Green at MGPL, Green Lifestyle | Tags: Morton Grove Public Library, paper beads, recycled beads, swancc, Trashy Fashion Show
Come to SWANCC’s 3rd annual Trashy Fashion Show to see MGPL’s entry: a flapper dress embellished with handmade recycled paper beads (pictured left). The fashion show will be held at Glenview’s Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave, on Friday, November 13, 7pm. Admission to the show is free, but reservations are required. To make your reservation, email info@swancc.org or call SWANCC’s office at 847-724-9205, ex. 201.
Filed under: Green Lifestyle, Green Tips | Tags: green holidays, Halloween, recycled costumes, tips
Make this Halloween a greener one. While Halloween is great for many reasons – the fun of dressing up and the excuse to indulge in large quantities of chocolate – it also produces a lot of waste. From candy wrappers to party decorations to costumes worn once, it doesn’t take long to get the picture. However, there are easy ways to have a fun time that’s not too scary for the environment. Read a recent article in the Chicago Tribune for tips on having a greener Halloween.
Filed under: Green Lifestyle, Uncategorized | Tags: nike grind, reuse-a-shoe, shoe recycling
Wondering what to do with that ratty, old pair of athletic shoes stuffed in the back of your closet? Don’t throw them out – recycle them! Nike and the National Recycling Coalition are partners in the Reuse-A-Shoe program, which promotes recycling athletic shoes to give them new life. Donated shoes are separated into parts – rubber, foam, and fabric – and then ground up to produce surfacing materials for athletic fields, playgrounds, and more. It takes about 2,500 shoes to create the surface of a playground, while it takes about 75,000 to produce enough rubber to surface a running track.
Donating shoes is easy. Just drop off up to 10 pairs of athletic shoes at an authorized Reuse-A-Shoe location, or mail them to Nike’s recycling facility (you pay for shipping costs). Luckily, if you live in Morton Grove or in the vicinity, there’s a drop-off location in Skokie at 4999 Old Orchard Ctr. Suite B6 (847-763-1529). Not all shoes are suitable for recycling; flip-flops, dress shoes, boots, and metal-containing shoes are not accepted.
Filed under: Green Lifestyle, Green Tips | Tags: green school supplies, school
As the school year draws nearer, so does the time for shopping for school supplies. You know, that never-ending list of stuff that seems to cost you more and more money the older your child gets. But don’t despair! You may be able to save some of that green this year by going green. Of course, buying a reusable lunch container is the most obvious way to make your child’s school year more eco-friendly, but there are many more options. Check out Good Housekeeping’s article “10 Ways to Live Green this School Year” for more tips.
For you college freshmen out there, there are ways to create that perfect dorm room and do it greener. Check out “How to Create a Green College Dorm Room” from Associated Content.
Filed under: Green Lifestyle | Tags: chicagoland farmers markets, farmers markets, local food
Have you ever thought about how your food makes it from the farm to your table? The fact is that your food has probably journeyed hundreds, if not thousands of miles to get to your local grocery store. With all that traveling, the food you eat can actually indirectly add to your carbon footprint (your secondary carbon footprint).
Perhaps now is the time to think more about your food and consider more local options. Take advantage of the weather and stop by a farmers market this summer to enjoy fresher, more eco-friendly produce. Browse our list of local farmers markets to find one near you.
Filed under: Green Lifestyle, Green Tips | Tags: green picnics, Green Tips, summer tips
The warmer weather and sunshine means that picnic season is upon us! Along with ants, however, picnics often bring with them an abundance of garbage. Consider making your picnics a little greener this year with a few simple tips:
- Store food in reusable containers.
- Consider bringing reusable tableware or purchase recycled paper and plastic products.
- Don’t be a Litterbug.
- Enjoy your surroundings!
Filed under: Going Green at MGPL, Green Lifestyle, Green in Morton Grove | Tags: Green Programming, swancc
Learn how you can be a better steward of our environment and save money by implementing simple tips to reduce waste, save energy, and conserve water. Mary Allen, Recycling and Education Director for the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County provides resources and special recycling program information.
Choose to Be Green will take place at the Morton Grove Public Library’s Baxter Room Auditorium on Tuesday, April 21, from 11:30-2pm.
Registration is not required. For more information about this event, call 847-965-4220.
Filed under: Going Green at MGPL, Green Lifestyle, Green News, Green Tips, Random Factoids | Tags: carbon footprint, newspapers, online newspapers
If you want an easy way to be more environmentally friendly, stop your newspaper subscription. According to The Environment Equation by Alex Shimo, you can reduce your yearly carbon output by 580lbs when you read newspapers online. If you have a Morton Grove Public Library card, you can access more than 500 newspapers from more than 55 countries in 33 languages, all in full page format through our newest online database: PressDisplay.
The Environment Equation: 100 Factors That Can Add to or Subract from Your Total Carbon Footprint
Shimo, Alex
Maron, Christopher J.
2008/04 – Adams Media Corporation
9781598698145 Check the Library’s Catalog 100 Factors That Determine Your Impact on the Earth …More
Filed under: Green Lifestyle, Green in Morton Grove | Tags: electronic recycling, morton grove, recycling
Is your junk drawer stuffed with old cell phones and other electronic garbage? You may want to consider giving some of that electronic junk a second chance at life through recycling. Believe it or not, electronic goods usually contain parts that are harmful to the environment if they end up in landfills.
Residents of Morton Grove are invited to drop off their unwanted small electronic goods at the Morton Grove Village Hall (6101 Capulina) during regular business hours, Monday – Friday. Acceptable items include cell phones, digital cameras, DVDs, game consoles, ink cartridges, and laptop computers. The recycling program is being conducted through a partnership with Avenues to Independence. Please direct any questions about the program to the Morton Grove Village Hall, (847) 965-4100.
Filed under: Green Lifestyle, Green Tips, Uncategorized | Tags: green cleaning, National Geographic, natural cleaning, spring cleaning
If winter has you feeling down, why not do a little spring cleaning? This season you may want to try cheaper and greener ways to get your house sparkly and fresh. Many conventional household cleaning products are unsafe for children and pets, and they may also fill your house with unpleasant fumes. Check out this video from National Geographic’s Green Guide for ways to give your cleaning cabinet a makeover.
