Green Chicago Kids:
Outside the Home
There are many ways that you can teach your kids to recycle and respect the environment outside of your home. Below, find some easy things that you can do to be more "green" outside of your home, and learn about places where you can recycle and donate items together with your kids.
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Take a tote bag to the grocery store instead of bringing home plastic or paper bags.
- Buy products in concentrated form, like juices or laundry detergent - you can get more se from less packaging.
- Send your kids to school with a reusable lunch bag - no more brown bagging it!
- Take items to recycling centers and locations. Read more below!
RECYCLING AND DONATING
Aluminum Cans
Aluminum cans, foil, and bakery tins can be recycled at a number of drop-off/buy-back locations throughout the city. For a complete list compiled by the Chicago Recycling Coalition, click here.
They are also accepted by Chicago's blue bag program and most office and apartment recycling programs.
Electronic Equipment
Recycle your old electronic equipment with Costco's Trade-In and Recycle Program. The Costco Trade-In and Recycle Program is available to members of Costco who elect to trade in or recycle any qualifying consumer electronic product currently offered by the program.
Learn More
Batteries
Chicago has initiated a city-wide battery collection program, where alkaline and rechargeable batteries (but not lead-acid car batteries) can be dropped off at any Chicago Public Library or Walgreens Drug Store in the city. Look for a recycling display and plastic containers to deposit your batteries
Phones
Staples Stores in conjunction with Collective Good accept used phones at their stores. A portion of the proceeds from recycling and resale go to the Sierra Club.
Glasses
Lions Clubs International operates what may be the largest used eyeglass collection program in the U.S. In 2004, the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers reported a collection of nearly 5.5 million pairs of eyeglasses, distributed to nearly 3 million people worldwide. All types of eyeglasses and sunglasses, prescription and non-prescription, are acceptable. Reading glasses are also very useful because many recipients are in need of visual correction to help them perform close-up tasks. Sunglasses are needed by people living near the equator in order to shield their eyes from the sun's damaging rays.
Most local Lions Clubs have collection boxes at various community offices and businesses. In the Chicago area, many organizations collect glasses for the Lions. The Lions have also established partnerships with Goodwill Industries and LensCrafters (which works through its charitable foundation, Give the Gift of Sight). Both have eyeglass drop-off boxes in all of their stores.
GET INVOLVED - IN THE COMMUNITY
Find ways for your kids to get involved with environmental causes in their communities.
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