Pumpkin Smash 2022 Results

Here are the results from our smashing good day:

• 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!

Hazardous Materials Recycling

The Sauk Trail Baptist Temple will collect hazardous materials on November 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for recycling. Outdated prescription pills, electronics, books, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes will also be accepted.

Accepted hazardous materials and limits:

• 1 TV
• 4 tires
• 4 boxes of shredding
• 4 cans of paint
• 4 cans/jars/ bottles of chemicals
• No limit on batteries
• All steel and aluminum accepted

This event is sponsored by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s Recycling Program, Village of Richton Park and Southland Voice.

H-F Holiday Recycling

Looking for light and tree recycling options for the 2022-2023 winter season? Holiday light recycling containers are located at the H-F Racquet & Fitness Club, Irwin Community Center, outside the Goldberg Center and Irons Oaks from November 21 to January 18.

Live Tree Recycling runs December 26 through January 18. Bring your undecorated and unwrapped holiday trees to Irons Oaks’ Vollmer Road lot. Trees should be stacked neatly with the trunks pointed towards the parking lot. Yard waste will not be accepted.

Park Forest Holiday Recycling

Drop off your holiday lights November 22 to January 18 at Park Forest Village Hall to be recycled. Live Christmas trees will be accepted December 26 to January 18 at the Aqua Center parking lot.

Park Forest Holiday Lights Recycling is sponsored by Gaby Iron and Metal.

Pumpkin Smash 2022

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.

pumpkin-smash-22-flyerDownload

Vote Yes for Forest Preserves

On election day, November 8th, Cook County Voters will have the opportunity to vote yes to protect clean water sources, air quality, and wildlife for our residents to enjoy for generations to come.  The Cook County Forest Preserve Referendum is on the ballot. A property tax increase of 0.024% (less than $1.66/month for the majority of homeowners) will protect, restore, and expand the Cook County Forest Preserves. 

Below is some information for you to share with friends and neighbors so they can vote yes to this very important referendum. You can get more information here.

fact-sheetDownload

Recyclepalooza 2022

Get Ready To Recycle!

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.

Nature Fest & Fundraiser

Walk Walton, sponsored by The Weglarz Company, is a nature fest and fundraiser benefiting Homewood Science Center. Celebrate the science of the season at Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve on Sunday October 23, 2022. This is a rain or shine event, refunds will not be given in the case of inclement weather.

Festival goers will enjoy:

• Ms. Dominique’s Spooky Science in Black Bear Lodge, sponsored by Tonja Cook The Learning & STEM Specialist
• Investigating marine biology at the pond with UChicago’s Professor Cathy Pfister
• Exploring nature with Forest Preserves of Cook County
• Taking part in a special project led by our Middle School Conservation Ecology Interns, sponsored by ComEd
• Decorating a Jack-o-lantern at our Pumpkin Patch sponsored by Will Davis, State Representative 30th District
• A sweet autumn treat– we’ll have donuts from Walt’s and hot apple cider

Ticket sales close Saturday October 22 at 5pm.

• $25 for Adults
• Kids FREE: ages 18 and under, accompanied by a paid adult
• $100 Troop Rate: 3 adults & 12 kids
  reserved picnic table / patches

To purchase tickets and get more information about this event, please visit The Homewood Science Center’s website: www.homewoodsciencecenter.org

Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event

The Highway Department of Orland Township is presenting a household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, August 13th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Victor J. Andrew High School, located at 9001 W. 171st Street in Tinley Park, Illinois. This event is free to all Illinois residents, but a reservation is required to participate. Register online by visiting calendly.com/othd/hhwc22. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Highway Department of Orland Township: 708-403-5148.

Dental Care Recycling

Oral care products and packaging can be recycled at the Center for Dental Excellence, located at 19615 Governors Hwy in Flossmoor. Plastic toothbrushes, empty tubes of toothpaste, empty dental floss containers, floss picks, interproximal brushes, and oral care product packaging are accepted. Electric and battery-operated products are not accepted. You do not need to be a patient at CDE to drop off your recycling; all community members are welcome to join the effort to reduce our waste. Receive a free bamboo toothbrush when you drop off your recycling!