This past April, we set a goal to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic materials by the end of 2025. Thanks to all the patrons and staff who brought in their plastic, we’ve already collected 1,100 pounds. The goal was set through a partnership with Clean Up – Give Back, a Des Plaines-based organization that runs a large-scale collection drive for pliable plastic to keep this material out of landfills, with the reward of a new bench for our outdoor space provided by Clean Up – Give Back.
The bench is constructed of a proprietary material made of reusable and recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics.
We will end our collection program on Friday, September 12, but we hope everyone will continue to recycle their plastic bags and packaging. Locally, you can bring plastic bags to these stores:
- Jewel (Busse & Greenwood in Park Ridge): Collection bin is located in the entrance vestibules.
- Mariano’s (Cumberland in Park Ridge): Collection containers are placed outside near the entrances, making them accessible even when the store is closed.
- Target (Touhy in Niles): Plastic bag collection is located by the café, near the registers.
In addition, every major national grocery retailer accepts plastic bags for recycling, including:
- Target
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Safeway and all associated stores
- Whole Foods
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
Kudos to everyone who brought plastic bags into our lobby, and to our Maintenance team for coordinating the effort.
