421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD

WHEATON, IL 60187

DU PAGE COUNTY

Environmental Committee

Final Summary

www.dupagecounty.gov

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

8:30 AM

Room 3500A

CALL TO ORDER

8:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Sheila Rutledge at 8:30 AM.

ROLL CALL

Cronin Cahill, Evans, Garcia, LaPlante, and Rutledge

Covert

PRESENT

ABSENT

CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR RUTLEDGE

Chair Rutledge provided a couple of updates on different topics. She mentioned that the state of Illinois

is in the process of banning plastic food foam ware. With regards to Lake Shore Recycle Transfer

Station Plan in West Chicago, it has been approved and will move on to the next phase. Due to

questions from local officials regarding the train derailment, Chair Rutledge is advising those to contact

Chris Snyder, Director of Transportation. There was discussion on the affect the train derailment

would have on the environment and how the coalition of townships will be addressing those concerns.

PUBLIC COMMENT

David Barcus with International Dark Sky reported the agencies in which he has recently gotten involved

with. He added that he recently met with the Zoning Coordinator in DuPage County regarding possible

ordinances. Mr. Barcus mentioned the upcoming events he will take part of, including an event held by

SCARCE.

Executive Director of SCARCE, Kay McKeen, mentioned the 25 recycling events that are currently

scheduled. Ms. McKeen reviewed the SCARCE workshop with local educators on Teachers Institute

Day. She mentioned upcoming events to continue educating the public and Earth Flag dates.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

5.A.

23-1051

Environmental Committee Minutes - Regular Meeting - Tuesday February 7, 2023

Minutes

Attachments:

APPROVED

RESULT:

Cynthia Cronin Cahill

Paula Garcia

MOVER:

SECONDER:

DISCUSSION

6.A.

23-1052

2023 Illinois General Assembly Recycling Legislation

Joy Hinz, Environmental and Sustainability Programs Manager, mentioned three significant

recycling bills that are under review to push into the Legislative Committee agenda. The Paint

Recycling bill will apply an eco-fee on every can of paint that is sold in Illinois and applied

toward recycling it. Like the previous bill, the Carpet Stewardship bill will include a fee that will

be applied to the cost of the carpet to properly recycle the material afterwards. The third bill is

the Packaging and Paper Stewardship Act. The next step for the Packaging and Paper

Stewardship Act is to have an amendment be filed and receive feedback from stakeholders.

2023 Illinois General Assembly Recycling Legislation

Attachments:

STAFF REPORTS

7.A. Arbor Day Event

Joy Hinz, Environmental and Sustainability Programs Manager, announced an event that will be opened

to the DuPage County and the DuPage County Health Department employees in recognition of Arbor

Day. The event will be held on April 28th, 2023 in the atrium, a few days in advance of Arbor Day, to

allow employee participation. During this event, employees will be provided a tree or shrub and be

educated on the benefits, proper planting, and continuous care of the tree or shrub. The expected cost

is to not exceed $600, with an expectation of purchasing a total of about 500 trees or shrubs from an

in-state nursery.

7.B. 2023 Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Propane Tank Recycling Partnership

Environmental Specialist, Austin Knight, announced the return of the DuPage County Propane Tank

Recycling Program in partnership with the Forest Preserve District. In previous effort to recycle

propane tanks from local campgrounds, a crate was temporarily placed for those camping onsite.

Roughly 35 lbs was collected from the Blackwell Forest Preserve Campgrounds last year. The propane

tank collection crate will be returned to the campsite in late April to early May 2023 for camping

season.

OLD BUSINESS

No old business was discussed.

NEW BUSINESS

No new business was discussed.

10.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:51 AM.