421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Environmental Committee  
Summary  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Tuesday, December 5, 2023  
8:30 AM  
Room 3500A  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
8:30 A.M. meeting was called to order by Chair Sheila Rutledge at 8:30 A.M.  
2.  
ROLL CALL  
Other Board Member Present: Member Yeena Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, Evans, Garcia, LaPlante, and Rutledge  
Covert  
PRESENT  
ABSENT  
3.  
CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR RUTLEDGE  
Chair Rutledge commented on COP28, also known as Conference of the Parties. It is a  
conference held annually by the United Nations to discuss dangerous human interference with  
the climate system. Chair Rutledge mentioned their Voices of Change series that highlights youth  
advocates and activists spreading the word and importance of climate justice.  
4.  
5.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
David Barcus from International Dark Sky gave updates on his efforts to growing the Dark Sky  
community. After meeting with Naperville, with the help of Member Lucy Evans, Barcus  
believes Naperville is open to joining the Dark Sky community.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
5.A.  
24-0019  
Environmental Committee Minutes- November 7, 2023  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
Paula Garcia  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
6.  
DISCUSSION  
6.A.  
24-0061  
Single-Hauler Follow-Up Survey Results  
Joy Hinz, Environmental and Sustainability Programs Manager, presented the results of  
the 2023 Township Waste Hauling Survey. The eight question survey was sent out in  
August to unincorporated households in six townships that are not currently served by a  
township waste and recycling contract. Typical voluntary survey response rates are 2%  
while this survey received a 10% response rate. Varying by township, Milton had the  
highest response rate and Addison had the lowest. A pleasant surprise from the survey  
revealed a high interest in lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with providing  
hauling services. Saving money received the most support when answering survey  
questions but varied by township. Given the information that was gathered, it was  
recommended to have each township pursue a referendum. Member Cahill, Member  
Garcia, Member Yeena Yoo and Nick Kottmeyer, Director/Public Works and Operations,  
discussed further with clarifications and explanations about the referendum.  
7.  
PARENT COMMITTEE APPROVAL  
7.A.  
24-0020  
Authorize DuPage County's Participation as a Great Lakes Circular Economy Partnership  
Knowledge Partner.  
The CGLR Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity formed in Cleveland, Ohio, and the  
Council of the Great Lakes Region, a Canada non-profit corporation formed in Toronto,  
Ontario, teamed up to initiate the binational Great Lakes Circular Economy Partnership.  
They are the leader in development and implementation of a circular economy vision,  
strategy, and a five-year action plan in the binational Great Lakes region. Starting with  
plastics has led to an advancement in the policy, infrastructure, education and  
engagement, product design, cleanup priorities, partnership projects, and investments  
needed to build a future without waste in the region.  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
Lynn LaPlante  
MOVER:  
Cynthia Cronin Cahill  
SECONDER:  
7.B.  
24-0057  
2024 Document Shredding Program  
Approval of a document shredding co-sponsorship program for public partners in an  
amount not to exceed $8,500. As part of DuPage County’s efforts to reduce waste and  
increase recycling, staff is recommending that the Environmental Committee offer  
financial assistance to local governments willing to provide document shredding services  
to residents. Funding will be offered to local governments with consideration given to  
distributing the events both geographically and throughout the calendar year. Local  
governments will be offered $500 for an event with Cool DuPage Partners eligible to  
receive an additional $150. A condition of the funding is the event must be open to any  
DuPage County resident.  
APPROVED  
Paula Garcia  
Lynn LaPlante  
RESULT:  
MOVER:  
SECONDER:  
8.  
PRESENTATIONS  
8.A. SCARCE  
Kay McKeen, Executive Director of SCARCE, provided a presentation on events and updates involving  
SCARCE.  
The Earth Flag was awarded to Addison Public Library and Epiphany Lutheran Church, with Bensenville  
Public Library, Downers Grove Public Library and Westmont Public Library in progress of receiving  
their Earth Flag.  
There are currently 8 scheduled Recycling Extravaganzas scheduled already for Spring. These events  
offer a way for people to reduce their solid waste and help groups that need some of those supplies in  
addition to keeping medicine and syringes out of landfills.  
The 2023 Pumpkin Smashing Results are still rolling in with a current tally of 198 tons and continues to  
gain momentum with Hinsdale set to join in next year.  
The 2023 Thanksgiving Cooking Oil Recycling event collected 327 gallons.  
The Landfill Diversion Event produced 15 boxes of blankets for recent Venezuelan immigrants in  
Chicago as well as over 40 boxes of clothing, blankets, towels and small home appliances for Brooklyn,  
Illinois. The most recent donation was to the West Chicago apartment fires with four shipments  
consisting of coats, blankets, socks, and shoes delivered by volunteers.  
McKeen announced information on upcoming events such as Holiday Light Collections, Countywide  
Teacher Institute Day, and Christmas Tree Drop-Offs.  
Addison Trail High School had a Blacktopia in October that informed students of environmental jobs and  
career opportunities.  
McKeen also provided a recap of the fourth, and largest, Repair Fair that offered lamp repair, kitchen  
knife sharpening, garden/hand tool sharpening, textile reuse, repair, and recycling information. There  
will be another Repair Fair planned for January 2024.  
Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, CAPE, has teamed up with four elementary schools in West  
Chicago from October through May working with kids on various topics and activities such as  
composting, proper recycling and general environmental education.  
Lastly, McKeen provided a wrap up of 2023 numbers for their reuse center and recycling efforts.  
9.  
OLD BUSINESS  
No old business was discussed.  
10.  
11.  
NEW BUSINESS  
No new business was discussed.  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:59 A.M.