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: Books, Uncategorized | Tags: documentaries, Ken Burns, national parks history, The National Parks: America's Best Idea
As you may already know, Ken Burns’ newest PBS documentary, The National Parks, debuted last Sunday, September 27. The six-episode series primarily explores the history of the National Parks – from the mid-1800s to the present. Not only full of fascinating facts about our nation’s treasured lands, The National Parks is also a treat for the eyes, showcasing a combination of archival photographs and original footage shot by Buddy Squires, Allen Moore, Lincoln Else, and Burns. Visit PBS’ The National Parks website for related information and resources, including TV schedules. Also, check out the documentary’s companion book by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.
The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
By Burns, Ken
Author Duncan, Dayton
2009-09 – Knopf Publishing Group
9780307268969 Check the Library’s Catalog
This evocative and lavishly illustrated narrative–the companion volume to the 12-hour PBS series–delves into the history of the park idea, from the first sighting by white men in 1851 through to the most recent additions to a system that now encompasses nearly 400 sites 
and 84 million acres. …More
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: roll-off bins, roll-off program, swancc
Planning on embarking on a major cleaning or remodeling project before winter rears its ugly head? Why not take advantage of the Solid Waste Agency of Cook County’s Roll-off program? The Roll-off program rents ten cubic yard roll-off boxes that can hold 2-4 tons of refuse. Rentals are only available to residents of SWANCC communities, and they are offered for $299 for a five day period. Visit the Roll-off program page on SWANCC’s website to learn more about the program.
Photo Credit: http://www.swancc.org/gts/rolloffprogram.html.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: art contests, Illinois, rain barrel art, rain barrels
The Chicago Botanic Garden and the governor of Illinois are sponsoring the Art on a Rain Barrel (AoRB) contest. Open to children and teens between the ages of 8 – 18, AoRB is an Illinois-wide competition in which the top 50 teams will be invited to display their barrels at the AoRB festival on 9/19/2009.
The deadline to submit entries (forms + 2-dimenstional rendering of the design) is Wednesday, June 10. For complete rules and details, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s AoRB page.
Filed under: Green News, Uncategorized | Tags: electronics recycling, Golf Mill Shopping Center, recycling event
Have clutter? If you’re ready to part with your not-so-useful-anymore stuff, make a trip to the Spring Cleaning Reuse and Recycle event at the Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles on Saturday, May 2, from 11am – 4pm. Examples of items that will be accepted include:
- Household electronics (computers, monitors, cell phones, PDA’s, video game consoles, etc.)
- Printer cartridges
- Gently used clothing and furniture
- Household hardware (kitchen and bathroom fixtures, doors, windows, and light fixtures, etc.)
If you have any questions about what items are acceptable to donate, contact the Golf Mill Shopping Center office at 847-699-1070.
As you may have heard, today is Earth Day. Did you know that Earth Day has been around since 1970? Its first theme was “New Energy for a New Era” – a focus that is still relevant nearly 40 years later.
Observing Earth Day can be easy, and it can happen at home, at work, or at play. Check out the Earth Day portal for more ideas on how to live a more eco-friendly life.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: garbage, swancc, trash, trash clothing, trash fashion show
Attention environmentally-conscious fashion fanatics! It’s time to channel your creativity and participate in the Trashy Fashion Show, an event sponsored by the Solida Waste Agency of Cook County (SWANCC). The Trashy Fashion show will take place at 7pm at the Park Center in Glenview on Friday, November 13. Anyone living in the SWANCC communities may participate.
SWANCC stipulates that anyone wishing to participate in the Trashy Fashion Show attend one informational workshop (or send a representative). The workshops will be held at the SWANCC office in Glenview and will take place on Thursday, April 23, 6:00-8:00 pm and Wednesday, May 27, 6:00-8:00 pm. Registration is required and space is limited to 20 at each workshop.
Direct any questions about the Trashy Fashion Show to Mary Allen: mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204.
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.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: green marketing, job training, Oakton Community College
Did you lose your full-time job within the last year? If you did, then you may qualify for tuition-free job training at Oakton Community College. To take advantage of this opportunity, you must reside in Oakton Community College District 535 (Morton Grove, Skokie, Niles, etc.). Green Marketing Preparation is one of the five programs you can choose to pursue. View their fact sheet to learn more about the job training, or contact Oakton Community College Career Services at 847-635-1735.
