Science & Nature

Make Spring Cleaning More Sustainable, Take Cast-Offs to a Cook County Trash Bash

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is stepping in to help make the annual ritual of spring cleaning more sustainable by hosting the fourth annual Trash Bash series, offering people a one-stop shop to unload items for donation or recycling.

The first event is scheduled for Saturday, and the remainder will take place April 25, May 16 and May 30.

Event partners will be collecting everything from electronics and prescription drugs to musical instruments and packing materials.

“We want to help Cook County residents make more environmentally sound decisions when it comes to getting rid of items around the home and maybe even give renewed life to items that can be reused and repurposed,” said Joanna Huyck, volunteer program coordinator for the forest preserve district.

The schedule, 9 a.m. to noon at all sites:

— April 11, Miller Meadow-South, Maywood

— April 25, Dan Ryan Woods-Central, Chicago

— May 16, LaBagh Woods, Chicago

— May 30, Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, Lemont

Partners and some of the items being collected:

— CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials): glass, plastic bottles, cardboard, polystyrene, textiles, e-waste and on-site hard drive shredding.

— Clothing Bin USA: clothing, shoes, household items, toys and accessories.

— Cook County Sheriff’s Office: unwanted/expired prescription pills, cables, electronics, small appliances (toasters, blenders), toner cartridges, UPS batteries, car batteries, televisions (limit one per household) and off-site shredding.

— EcoShip: shipping and packaging materials, retail and reusable bags, and unused plastic utensils.

— Habitat for Humanity: tools, artwork, new/unused building materials, working small appliances, lawn/garden items and home goods.

— Illinois Department of Agriculture: herbicide containers

— Midway Movers: paper documents (off-site shredding)

— SCARCE: keys, holiday lights, crayons, bread tags, Brita brand pitchers and filters, musical instruments, hearing aids and eyeglasses.

— Terracycle: plastic bags and packaging, lightbulbs, office supplies and batteries.

— The Struggling Black Girl Magic Club: skateboarding, roller skating and scooter gear, laundry detergent, school uniform pieces and black gym shoes.

— Working Bikes: adult bikes in repairable condition, gently used children’s bikes, bike parts, tools and bike accessories.

The forest preserve district is also collecting books in good, clean condition at all Trash Bash events except for May 30.

Along with dropping off unwanted items, people can take part in self-led litter cleanups at each Trash Bash location. Trash bags, grippers and gloves will be provided.

Check the Trash Bash event page for a complete list of items that will be accepted by event partners.

Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected] 

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