Patch Picks: Five Ways to Help the Earth

Earth Day is April 22. Patch has rounded up five great ways to conserve:

1. Recycle:

Although most of us may think we know all there is to know about recycling, it can't hurt to have a refresher. The village of Hinsdale provides residents with a recycling guide that reminds us which items are acceptable for recycling. Recyclable items are collected in Hinsdale on Monday for residents on the south side of the tracks, and on Thursday for those north of the tracks. Standard waste collection in Hinsdale (once per week) costs $24.63 per month. Clarendon Hills waste is collected on Mondays (Wednesdays for those south of 55th Street), and the cost ranges from $16 - $18 per month, depending on the time of year. In addition to "regular" recycling, however, we often forget about the bigger household items that can be recycled as well. To recycle an old computer, television, radio, or anything electronic (whether it still functions or not), contact the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, 620 E. Adams, Springfield, IL 62701. The agency will be able to give you a list of organizations and companies that recycle, reuse or dispose of electronic items. You can also bring electronics to recycle to Com2 Recycling Solutions, 1196 S. Main St., Suite D, Lombard, IL 60148; call 630-678-COM2 for more information.

A yearly event, Sustainable Saturday, will be held April 30. E-waste will be collected from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the Dan and Ada Rice Center on the campus of Benedictine University in Lisle.

2. Save gas

On Earth Day, instead of driving yourself to work or school, try to walk or ride your bike. If that's impossible for you, take public transportation or car pool; our area has access to both both and train lines. If it rains on Earth Day, grab your umbrella as an extra incentive to walk . Your wallet will thank you for skipping a gas fill-up.

3. Sign a petition

Earth Day Network has petitions on its site that allow concerned citizens to sign and show their support. One such petition, in support of proposed green jobs legislation, can be signed here. You can also take Earth Day Network's petition template and create your own petition and gather signatures.

4. Organize a community event

This Earth Day's theme, A Billion Acts of Green, proves that every act, big or small, has an impact. Organize an Earth Day event in our community. It can range from a screening of an environmentally-themed documentary (Who Killed the Electric Car? is a good one), or plant a vegetable garden with a few friends. You can find more ideas in 2011's Earth Day Organizer's Guide.

5. Attend a Chicago-area Earth Day event

Across the country this Earth Day, communities will be holding events to celebrate the occasion, and Chicago is no exception. Visit Earth Fest in Oak Park, a gathering of eco-friendly vendors, children's activities and live entertainment at the Oak Park Public Works Center.