26 volunteers (20 of them were Parker Junior High School NJHS students)
96 attendees
1,000 lbs of pumpkins
The pumpkins are being composted at Possibility Place Nursery in Monee, Illinois. This was also our second year collecting Halloween candy wrappers for recycling by partnering with The Center for Dental Excellence in Flossmoor and Rubicon’s Trick or Trash recycling program.
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers and everyone who participated in Pumpkin Smash. A huge thank you to Homewood Disposal for sponsoring the dumpster and Coyote Run for hosting this event for the seventh year in a row!
Pumpkin Smash 2022 is scheduled for November 5, the first Saturday following Halloween. The event will take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Coyote Run Golf Course, 800 Kedzie Avenue, Flossmoor, Illinois. Pumpkin Smash is an annual effort, organized by the Chicago Southland Green Committee, to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing a location for residents to drop off jack-o-lanterns to be composted.
The Center for Dental Excellence in Flossmoor will be collecting Halloween candy wrappers for recycling at this event, as part of the Trick or Trash recycling program. Community members are encouraged to bring their candy wrappers to be recycled. Paper, food, and aluminum can not be recycled in the Trick or Trash receptacle. More information about Trick or Trash is available at rubicon.com/trick-or-trash.
Thanks to Homewood Disposal for donating a dumpster and delivering the event’s compost to Possibility Place.
Pumpkin Smash is sponsored by the Chicago Southland Green Committee, Homewood Disposal, and the Homewood Science Center. For more information about Pumpkin Smash, visit scarce.org/pumpkins.
Have theses things around your house? Here’s your chance to Recyclepalooza! Collect your recyclables and stop by Parker Junior High School on Saturday, October 8, between 9 a.m. and Noon to drop them off. Stay in your vehicle, sort items by category and clearly marked, then place them in your truck to be unloaded by volunteers contact free!
Accepted Items:
• Electronics
• Metals
• Ink/Laser jet printers
• Bicycles
• Pop can tabs
• Used razors
• Eyeglasses
• Gently used clothes
• Sporting goods
• American Flags
• Pastic gift cards
• LEGOs
• Trophies
• New travel size toiletries
• Small household items
• Gently used towels and blankets
• Used mascara wands
• Plastic bread tags
• Clean & dry Styrofoam (no packing peanuts)
• Used oral care products & packaging
• TVs ($20 per set)
Recyclepalooza is sponsored by the Village of Flossmoor Green Commission, Chicago Southland Green Committee, Flossmoor School District 161 and Homewood Disposal.
Flossmoor School District 161 held a community clean up event at Flossmoor Hills Elementary School on April 9, 2022. Volunteers collected litter from the school grounds. Thanks to all who participated in the Clean Up event, Homewood Disposal for presenting to fourth and fifth grade students this month, and students and staff who have been problem solving and discussing recycling correctly.
The Sustainability office completed a very successful first Annual Community Clean Up this past Saturday picking up litter the entire length of Tamarack street. There were 28 volunteers including Mayor Vanderbilt and his 3 children, 3 Environment Commissioners, many hard working NHS students, and a resident from Homewood in the mix. The rain held out, and they braved the cold, wet elements to collect 51 bags of trash, 1 bag of recycling, a TV, 2 tires, a broken chair and a mattress/box spring set. This event wouldn’t have been a success without the Parks department for all the supplies and Public Works for picking up the waste collected. Many thanks to all involved.
This event was in collaboration with the Chicago Southland Green Committee made up of the many agencies in Homewood, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields and Park Forest including libraries, school districts, villages and parks departments. There was companion Clean Up events happening on Saturday in the other communities as well as throughout this month.
The Chicago Southland Green Committee organizes a Community Clean Up event each year in April to celebrate Earth Month. Everyone is encouraged to come out and clean up streets, yards, parks, common areas, and other locations in their communities.
Our next Community Clean Up is Saturday, April 2nd, 2022. Flossmoor School District 161 will host their Community Clean Up event on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Flossmoor Village Hall parking lot 2800 Flossmoor Road Flossmoor, IL
We will be tackling the litter along Flossmoor Road. Dress accordingly and meet us at the Village of Flossmoor Village Hall parking lot to get instructions and receive your assignment. Please sign up online. Thank you!
Hidden Meadows Driving Range 23521 Crawford Avenue Flossmoor, IL
Please dress for the weather and bring gloves, if you have them. Be sure to sign up online.
Thank you for keeping the community beautiful!
Chicago Southland Annual Community Clean Up is sponsored by the Chicago Southland Green Committee: Flossmoor Public Library, Flossmoor School District 161, H-F High School, H-F Park District, Homewood Public Library, Homewood School District 153, Homewood Disposal, Village of Flossmoor, Village of Homewood, Village of Park Forest, and Village of Olympia Fields. Contact your local organization or visit them on the web for more information.
Pumpkin Smash 2020 took place on Saturday, November 7th at Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor, IL. Pumpkin Smash is an annual effort to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing a location for residents to drop off jack-o-lanterns to be composted.
Chicago Southland Green Committee 