Fair Trade Month

Provides Safe Working Conditions and Just Pay

October is Fair Trade Month, a reminder that purchasing products with the fair trade certified label helps provide just compensation and safe working conditions for businesses and their workers in developing nations. 

To find out more about tracking down fair trade food, clothing, and personal-care products, visit fairtradeusa.org. 

SWANCC also offers fair trade and other sustainable purchasing options in the Eco-Friendly Marketplace guide. 

Rate Your Home's Efficiency

Locate Common Energy Issues in Your Home

Do you know whether your home uses energy efficiently? Or how it stacks up against other homes in your area? This is a great time of year to rate your home's efficiency. 

The U.S. Department of Energy website offers tips on how to do just that, either by hiring a professional or performing a do-it-yourself energy audit to locate common energy sieves and repair them effectively and affordably. Find out more at energy.gov/public-services/homes.

DEA Take-Back Day Scheduled for Prescription Drugs to Include Controlled Substances

Saturday, October 26, 2013 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Each spring and fall, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosts a community Take-Back Day for Prescription Drugs. As a reminder, residents are not able to dispose of Controlled Substances at a SWANCC municipal drop-off, so this is a grand opportunity to get rid of outdated or no longer needed medications for the safety of family members and the environment on Saturday, October 26, 2013, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The DEA's sixth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day that was held in April 2013, collected 742,497 pounds (371 tons) of prescription medications - which was 50 percent more pills than the previous one in the fall, demonstrating the American public's continued appreciation and need for the opportunity to discard unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, bedside tables, and kitchen drawers.

Members of the public at more than 5,829 locations manned by 4,312 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that partnered with DEA for the April event.  When added to the collections from DEA's previous five Take-Back events, more than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of prescription medications have been removed from circulation. 

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

SWANCC Ongoing Pharmaceutical and Sharps Program

SWANCC Program Cannot Accept Controlled Substances

SWANCC sponsors a collection/disposal program for expired or unused medications and sharps, and provides a one-quart collection container for needles. Recent research by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey revealed that there are a substantial amount of antibiotics and steroidal hormones in rivers, lakes and wells caused by people flushing their medications down the toilet or putting them down the sink. Additionally, sharps can cause needle-sticks and health issues if thrown away in the garbage or put in the water system.

Residents are asked to leave their medications in the original containers and to mark out their personal information. No over-the-counter liquid medications will be accepted. No commercial or institutional waste will be accepted. The locations below are available to residents of all member communities. For additional information regarding the dangers of medicine in the water system or in the trash, go to epa.gov/osw.

For details and drop-off locations, visit swancc.org. 

Household Chemical Waste Facilities Accept Pharmaceutical Waste

HCW Programs Cannot Accept Controlled Substances

Household Chemical Waste (HCW) collections are conducted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are available to all Illinois residents.

The IEPA web page includes information concerning their collection program, along with a complete schedule of upcoming collection events.  

The following long-term facilities are available for disposal of HCW. Please phone the long-term facilities ahead to determine availability and open hours. For questions concerning the IEPA's one-day or long-term collections, please call the Waste Reduction Unit at (217) 785-8604.

1150 N North Branch Street
Tuesdays: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thursdays: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
1st Saturday of month: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
NO LATEX PAINT
Also accepts computer materials and propane tanks.
cityofchicago.org

(630) 420-4190

(815) 387-7400

Although the IEPA's contractors do not accept auto batteries, propane tanks, or fire extinguishers, co-sponsors may elect to contact a vendor willing to set up and accept these materials on the day of the collection event. Contact the IEPA at (217) 785-8604 to verify materials being accepted.

Unable to attend a collection? Dispose of your household chemical waste for a fee.

(847) 488-1492 x 202