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| SWANCC Communities |
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Arlington Heights
Barrington
Buffalo Grove
Elk Grove Village
Evanston
Glencoe
Glenview
Hoffman Estates
Inverness
Kenilworth
Lincolnwood
Morton Grove
Mount Prospect
Niles
Palatine
Park Ridge
Prospect Heights
Rolling Meadows
Skokie
South Barrington
Wheeling
Wilmette
Winnetka
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| About SWANCC |
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The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is a non-profit unit of local government that offers a wide variety of programs and resource materials, at no cost, to assist with educating students about solid waste technologies and the benefits of waste reduction practices (reduce, reuse, recycle and buy recycled). In order to receive funds or to participate in any program:
- Schools must be located in one of SWANCC's 23 member communities - see left for a listing; or
- At least 50% of the school's student/faculty population must reside in one or more of SWANCC's member communities.
In cooperation with the Illinois State Board of Education's Learning Standards, SWANCC's programs can be integrated into many of the established "Goals" across the curriculum.
Let SWANCC be a resource for you!
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| Informational Workshop Set for September 17, 2009 |
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 Each fall, SWANCC conducts a morning-long workshop to highlight the Agency's programs, resource materials and waste reduction solutions. Who should attend? Ecology club sponsors, PTA/PTO environmental chairpersons, green team leaders or any educator wanting to learn more about reducing waste and ways to increase environmental awareness. The Informational Workshop will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009, from 9 a.m. to noon at SWANCC's office located at 2700 Patriot Blvd., Suite 110, Glenview. Highlights include SWANCC's school programs and projects, teaching tools and resource materials for loan, green fundraising opportunities, and successful waste reduction activities implemented by SWANCC-area school districts. It is a great opportunity to network with other representatives in your school district, as well as make new contacts in other communities. There is no cost to attend the workshop, but space is limited and registration is required. Please register for the workshop online by September 11, contact SWANCC at info@swancc.org or call (847) 724-9205. |
| SWANCC and the Chicago Wolves Team Up |
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 SWANCC continues to be one of Nike's longest-standing national Reuse-A-Shoe (RAS) collection partners. Since 1999, SWANCC has contributed over 70,000 pairs of old athletic shoes to RAS that become new sports courts and surfaces. In addition to SWANCC's spring collection, this winter, SWANCC is teaming up with The Chicago Wolves. Athletic shoes will be collected at the following Wolves games:
February 17, 2010: 6:00 game
February 20, 2010: 6:00 game
February 21, 2010: 2:00 game
There will be more information forthcoming about tickets and raffle prizes.
 SWANCC will also be collecting shoes from its partners on Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20, 2010. If you would like to be a collection partner this year, fill out an Agreement and materias will be mailed to you.
To qualify to be a SWANCC partner, your school, community group or business must be located in a SWANCC-member community. To learn more about Nike's RAS program or for other collection partners, visit nikereuseashoe.com. |
| Waste Grant Applications Being Accepted |
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 For the 17th year, SWANCC will provide funds to qualifying schools to promote waste reduction - reduce, reuse and recycling activities. Funds can be used, but are not limited to purchasing recycling bins; can crushers; reusable food containers, lunch bags, trays, coffee mugs, water bottles or, cloth napkins - to promote waste-free lunches and meetings; dry-erase boards; vermi-composting bins and related resource materials, such as books and DVDs. Funds are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. SWANCC grant funds requests must be submitted by individual schools, or by an administrator of a school district. Download an application or contact SWANCC at info@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205 to request an application.
Grant applications must be received by Friday, October 30, 2009 to be considered. |
| Trashy Fashions Project and Show |
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 In spring 2009, SWANCC conducted three workshops for anyone interested in participating in its Trashy Fashions Project. Potential designers of all ages attended one of the workshops to gain a better understanding of the project's criteria - to create fashions and accessories from materials destined for a landfill - not purchased - thus the word "trashy". SWANCC will be hosting its third Trashy Fashions Show on Friday, November 13, 2009, at 7:00 pm. The event will take place at The Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Avenue, in Glenview. Over 30 designers' pieces will be showcased as part of this community-based project. The fashion show is in recognition of America Recycles Day, observed nationally on November 15th. There is no cost to attend this event, but space is limited and reservations are required. Please email info@swancc.org or call (847) 724-9205 to reserve a spot. |
| Pre-School/Kindergarten Program |
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 Taking Care of Our Earth
SWANCC offers an early childhood educational program called Taking Care of Our Earth, designed for children three to five. Concepts include the environmental R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, as well as respect for our environment. Many visual aids are used to convey each concept and teachers will receive resource materials and activities for follow-up lessons. There is no cost for this program to schools located in a SWANCC-member community. This presentation works best in a small group setting, ideally no more than 20 students at one time. Back-to-back presentations are available for schools with a larger number of students. Please agree to the following criteria before scheduling a presentation: ▪ Provide a cart and helper to transport teaching materials from presenter's car at time of arrival and departure ▪ Provide a separate room - away from other classes ▪ Children are to sit in a half circle in front of presenter ▪ Provide two 6' tables for materials ▪ A teacher must be in the room at the time of presentation To schedule a presentation, please contact Leslie Handler directly at (847) 674-5809 or lah603@aol.com. If you have any questions or would like information about SWANCC's other educational programs, visit swancc.org or contact me at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204. |
| Paper Retriever Program - Free Paper Recycling |
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 Are you recycling paper at your school? If not, why not? If your answer is that you do not have a recycling provision in your solid waste contract, then this program is for you! The Paper Retriever Recycling Program is an easy, free, community-based program that wraps recycling and fund raising into one neat package. As a bin host, you provide a convenient recycling drop-off location for your school, and encourage school families, area residents (especially that live in apartment buildings) and small businesses to participate. In order to receive revenue for your paper, a minimum of 2 tons of paper must be collected each month. The more paper collected, the more money the school will receive!
The Paper Retriever program is designed to collect only the kinds of paper that can be recycled into newsprint, such as:
- Newspapers
- Office Paper
- Magazines
- School Paper
- Catalogs
- Shredded Paper - in clear plastic bags
- Direct mail
- Paperback/Hardback Books (covers removed)
All across the United States and Canada, thousands of nonprofit organizations host Paper Retriever bins. You can demonstrate environmental responsibility and leadership by recycling paper instead of throwing it in the garbage. Save resources and earn money - it is that easy.
For more information, please contact recycling representatives Maureen Young at (630) 327-9332 or Rita Mazza at (630) 587-1300, or visit paperretriever.com. |
| NEW Resource Materials For Loan |
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 The following three books have been recently released by Green Sugar Press, the publishing company created by author Tim Manger, who grew up in Wilmette and Winnetka and now lives in Chicago
greensugarpress.com An Environmental Guide from A to Z, by Tim Magner An illustrated guide introducing environmental concepts, targeted at readers aged 8 to 13. N is for Nature, by Tim Magner An environmental alphabet book for early childhood-aged children. Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life, by Tim Magner Earl discovers his role as an earthworm and how vital it is to the ecosystem. Enjoy your journey with Earl. Elementary. Teaching About Climate Change, by Green Teacher This resource can be adapted for any grade levels and provides up-to-date lists of learning resources and organizations working on the topics of climate change, renewable energy and energy conservation. greenteacher.com
Greening School Grounds, by Green Teacher There are numerous ideas for schoolyard projects, from tree nurseries to school composting to native plant gardens, along with ideas for enhancing learning by addressing the diverse needs of the students. All levels. Teaching Green - The High School Years, by Green Teacher Hands-on learning for grades 9-12 - with contributions from 55 educators across North America. Teaching Green is also available for elementary and middle school years. SWANCC has many other books, curriculum guides and DVDs available for loan. View the complete list. |
| Illinois Recycling Association's (IRA) Resources for Educators |
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Digital GraphicsThrough a grant from The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), IRA contracted with Global Printing and Graphics to create a series of 30 original downloadable digital graphics to promote recycling. The graphics are available on IRA's website free of charge for anyone to use. They can be used to create or spruce up educational brochures, pamphlets, flyers, newsletters or posters. View IRA's graphics. Virtual ToursAlso a DCEO funded project, IRA contracted with J. Michael Duvall to film six "Virtual Tour" videos. The six locations selected were Groot Industries, Elk Grove Village (large traditional recycling single stream processor); Eagle Enterprises Recycling, Galva, (medium/small traditional recycling single stream processor), Sims Recycling Solutions, West Chicago (large electronics recycler), BLH Computers, Springfield (medium/small electronics recycler and refurbisher); Engineered Plastic Systems, Elgin (recycled product manufacturer) and Land and Lakes yard waste composting facility in Romeoville.
These videos are posted on IRA's website and on an IRA You Tube site for free public access. Links to other IRA member' recycling videos also appear on the You Tube site. They will serve as a useful tool for teachers, students and others to see recycling in action right from their computer. The videos are presented in both Quick Time and Windows Media versions. View IRA's virtual tours. |
| Important Dates to Remember |
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| September 17: SWANCC's Informational Workshop
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Together we will make a difference!
Sincerely,
Mary Allen
SWANCC |
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