Tag: Illinois

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International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is May 3-9, 2026

ICAW 2026 poster designed by Endurance Oye of Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria.

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is celebrated annually during the first full week of May and is a time to learn more about composting organic wastes (e.g., landscape wastes and food scraps) as part of fostering healthier soil and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A theme is chosen for ICAW in the US each year, and the theme becomes the focus of a poster contest, in which artists age 14 and older from around the world compete. The image above is the winning design for 2026, created by Endurance Oye of Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria.

This year’s theme is “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us.”As explained on the Compost Research & Education Foundation website, “Soil is the foundation of life. It grows the food we eat, filters the water we drink, and sustains the biodiversity that keeps our ecosystems in balance. Yet soil is also one of our most threatened resources, with erosion, top soil & nutrient depletion, and contamination endangering its health worldwide. Compost provides the simplest and most efficient means to maintaining and rebuilding soil organic matter, arguably humanity’s most important form of natural capital. Used effectively, compost can manage storm water, remove pollutants, make agricultural soils more resilient, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and remediate contaminated soils.”

The Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition (IFSCC) cites the following benefits of organic waste recycling and compost use for Illinois communities:

  • Composting reduces methane emissions through aerobic managed decomposition, providing for a more sustainable community.
  • Composting lowers greenhouse gases by improving carbon sequestration in the soil. Getting the carbon back into the soil serves as a “carbon bank,” helping to store carbon thereby removing it from the atmosphere.
  • Compost provides essential nutrients for plants, promoting vibrant gardens and farms. Healthier soil leads to healthier, more nutritious food for our communities.
  • Compost use increases the water-holding capacity of our soils. This is important as our communities are more and more often seeing drought and or intense rain events causing soil runoff and erosion.
  • Community Gardens and Green Spaces: Compost plays a vital role in community gardens, fostering green spaces that provide fresh produce, recreational opportunities, and community gathering places.

To see a full list of in-person and virtual events scheduled for ICAW in Illinois, and find registration information for those that are virtual, check out the IFSCC ICAW 2026 page at https://illinoiscomposts.org/international-compost-awareness-week-icaw-2026/.

If you’re interested in hosting your own ICAW event, check out the IFSCC’s ICAW Host Toolkit, which includes:

  • tabling signage,
  • resources for libraries,
  • a list of relevant children’s books,
  • resources for park districts,
  • social media resources,
  • activities for kids,
  • a guide for hosting a “compost giveback” event (aka a “compost giveaway” or a “bring your own bucket” event),
  • a link to a spreadsheet of food scrap municipal composting programs and drop-off locations, and
  • a link to IFSCC’s guide for where to buy finished compost in IL. (Note that this only includes IFSCC member organizations that are compost manufacturing facilities. If you don’t see a site near you, do an Internet search or consult your county solid waste agency or recycling coordinator for guidance.)

If you’d like to learn more about how to start composting at home, see https://illinoiscomposts.org/composting-at-home/. You can also check out resources from Illinois Extension at https://extension.illinois.edu/composting.

Happy composting!

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Free assessments for small food businesses in DuPage & Kane Counties

Photo by Joshua Rodriguez on Unsplash

Uncover cost-saving and efficiency opportunities for your food-focused business! The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) and the EnergySense Resilience Center, units of the University of Illinois, are providing free technical assistance to 10 small for and/or non-profit entities, such as restaurants, grocers, food banks, lodging or institutional food service operations, and other food-focused businesses and organizations in DuPage and Kane Counties in Illinois. By getting assessed, businesses can lower operational costs, reduce wasted food & resources, and attract environmentally-conscious customers. 

Assessments will focus on helping entities reduce costs and/or reduce environmental impacts through pollution prevention, energy efficiency, water reduction, alternatives to hazardous chemicals, and waste reduction (including purchasing and disposal). 

How it works

Step 1: Initial conversation. This will take the form of a brief introductory phone call to discuss the assessment process and expectations. Utility data collection will also be discussed. (Participant time commitment: 30 minutes)

Step 2: Pre-Assessment Data Collection & Analysis. The participating business will share utility billing data as available. Providing this information helps our team quantify savings opportunities found on-site. (Participant time commitment: 30 minutes)

Step 3: Facility Walkthrough. On-site visit for review of current conditions, such as infrastructure and operational processes. Identify sustainability opportunities for cost and resource savings. (Participant time commitment: 1 hour)

Step 4: Providing Recommendations & Resources. ISTC and EnergySense will use data and information from previous steps to develop strategies to reduce costs and/or reduce environmental impact. Recommendations and resources will be shared with the participating business via a written report and presentation with Q&A.  (Participant time commitment: 1 hour)

Step 5: Implementation. ISTC and EnergySense will assist businesses that are interested in implementing recommended strategies. Implementation assistance includes further guidance on equipment and/or process upgrades, as well as connecting to incentive or funding opportunities. (Participant time commitment will vary.)

Step 6: Case Study (Optional).  A case study will be developed to showcase opportunities uncovered and strategies implemented. (This step is optional. If you decide to share your experiences with peers and customers, your time commitment will be approximately 1 hour to review drafts and provide feedback/approval.)

How do I sign up?

Interested businesses should fill out the short form at https://go.illinois.edu/FoodBusiness.

Participants will be selected on a rolling basis. ISTC and EnergySense will work with facilities upon selection until December 2026. Questions can be directed to Zach Samaras at zsamaras@illinois.edu.

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Tri-state partnership offers free assistance to manufacturers

The Technology Acceleration Program (TAP), part of ISTC’s Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits, along with partners at Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office of Pollution Prevention Services and Missouri State University, have been awarded grant funding to provide FREE sustainability assessments to manufacturing and processing facilities in their respective states. This project will assist businesses in making their operations more sustainable and competitive.

TAP is offering assistance to all Illinois manufacturers, regardless of industry sector.

How does it work?

  • Initial Meeting – either via email, conference call, or in person, to discuss needs and concerns
  • Opportunity Assessment – conducted on-site to uncover areas for potential change or improvement
  • Report on Findings – a document providing methods for reducing pollution and potential cost savings
  • Implementation Support – assistance for next steps, if needed
  • Project Review – document savings and benefits

What are the benefits?

  • Promotes sustainable manufacturing and growth
  • Improves profitability, productivity and competitiveness
  • Improves workplace safety through less exposure to hazardous materials
  • Reduces environmental impacts such as:
    • water use, energy and materials
    • waste volume and/or toxicity
  • Increases capacity to attract new business
  • Increases recyclability and/or diversion of by-product

How can companies sign up to participate?

Contact Owen McMahan at omcmahan@illinois.edu or fill out our online form to request assistance for your IL facility at GO.ILLINOIS.EDU/SCHEDULE-SITE-VISIT.

If your company is located in Iowa or Missouri and you’d like to participate, we can connect you to the proper contacts in your state.

Help spread the word

Download the project flyer or copy the link to this post to share on social media or email it to potential participants in your network.

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IL residents can now recycle paint and related products

Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash
Illinois recently became the 11th state to launch a paint stewardship program. Beginning December 1, 2025, residents can recycle leftover paint (both latex and oil-based), primers, stains, sealers, and varnishes conveniently, keeping these materials out of landfills.

Similar programs exist in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state, and the District of Columbia. Maryland anticipates rolling out its paint stewardship program in 2026. According to the Product Stewardship Institute, U.S. residents generate more than 80 million gallons of leftover latex and oil-based paint each year. When dumped in the trash or down the drain, leftover paint can contaminate our environment with hazardous materials, but most paint is recyclable. Since 2010, paint EPR programs have recycled over 72% of collected latex paint nationwide and saved governments and taxpayers nearly $300 million.

The Illinois program is operated by the nonprofit organization PaintCare, and a collection network of over 250 drop-off sites across IL is anticipated. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency oversees the program, while PaintCare handles the collection, logistics, and processing of materials, as well as public education. The program is partially funded by fees applied to the purchase price of containers of new paint sold within the state. Those fees range from $0 to $1.95, depending on the size of the container (containers that hold a half pint or less do not have a fee added).

There is no fee to drop off unused paint for recycling at participating locations. To find a drop-off location near you, visit https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/ and enter your zip code. All PaintCare sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit (some will accept more). Residents should call ahead to confirm business hours and whether the location can accept the type and amount of paint they would like to recycle. Sites do not accept aerosols (spray paint), leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers.

Aerosol paints are considered household hazardous wastes (HHW) and should be taken to HHW collection sites or events in your area. See https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/waste-management/waste-disposal/household-hazardous-waste/collections.html. An additional permanent HHW disposal facility is being planned for Champaign County.

To learn more about paint stewardship in Illinois, visit the Illinois Product Stewardship Council website. To learn more about paint stewardship efforts across the U.S., visit the Product Stewardship Institute website.
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IL battery recycling law goes into effect

Image courtesy of the Illinois Product Stewardship Council

Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois law requires battery manufacturers to fund battery collection for recycling, with no cost to the consumer. Batteries can NOT be recycled in your home recycling bin. They may only be recycled through special drop-off collection locations.

Why battery recycling matters

Batteries are made from metals and minerals mined using processes that are often damaging to the environment. When batteries are recycled, these materials can be captured and reused. This reduces the need for newly mined materials. In addition, certain battery chemistries are dangerous in the waste and household recycling streams. Many contain material that is toxic to the environment or may become a fire or explosion hazard in waste collection vehicles or waste processing facilities.

How do I participate?

Visit https://www.call2recycle.org/illinois/ to find a drop-off location near you. Enter your city or postal code and select the type of battery (rechargeable, single-use, medium format, or damaged/defective) you need to recycle to obtain a list of locations accepting those items.

Screenshot of search functions at https://www.call2recycle.org/illinois/.

Be aware that some facilities may take your used batteries in bulk and mixed together. These facilities take the responsibility of packaging them safely for shipping to specialized recyclers. However, many facilities require residents to separate alkaline batteries from rechargeable batteries and will require you to properly protect battery terminals to reduce the risk of fire. This is done by covering battery terminals with clear packing tape (ideal), duct tape (acceptable), or electrical tape (acceptable), or by placing a single battery in very small, individual, clear plastic bag.

Image courtesy of the Illinois Product Stewardship Council

To learn more about batteries and their responsible use and disposal, visit the Illinois Product Stewardship Council website at www.illinoispsc.org/batteries.

To read the full text of the Illinois Portable and Medium-Format Battery Stewardship Act, visit https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/103/SB/10300SB3686enr.htm.

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IL Climate Education Hub launch event, Oct. 22

Illinois Climate Education Hub logo, consisting of a blue silhouette of the state of IL overlapping a stylized blue and green Earth, with the words "Illinois Climate Education Hub" superimposed and centered over them.

In a previous post on back-to-school sustainability resources, the Illinois Climate Education Hub was mentioned as a forthcoming resource for K-12 teachers, to assist them in complying with Public Act 103-0837. That legislation provides that, “Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public school shall provide instruction on climate change, which shall include, but not be limited to, identifying the environmental and ecological impacts of climate change on individuals and communities and evaluating solutions for addressing and mitigating the impact of climate change and shall be in alignment with State learning standards, as appropriate. The State Board of Education shall, subject to appropriation, prepare and make available multi-disciplinary instructional resources and professional learning opportunities for educators that may be used to meet the requirements of this subsection.”

The hub is now live and is available at https://illinoisclimateeducation.org/. The IL hub (like its sister hubs in New Jersey, Oregon, Wisconsin, Maine, New York, Connecticut, and Michigan) provides free, educator-vetted teaching resources, professional development opportunities, lesson plan examples, and relevant news articles for students. All resources on the hub can be used for educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.

Subject to Climate, the organization that led efforts to develop the IL hub and similar hubs in other states, is hosting a launch event for the Illinois Climate Education Hub on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 4 PM Central. Tickets are free and available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illinois-climate-education-hub-launch-event-tickets-1661256215059.

All are invited to join Illinois teachers, students, and community partners to learn about the Illinois Climate Education Hub.

Contact Subject to Climate’s IL State Lead, Kate Nahrwold, with questions or for additional information.

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Celebrate Pollution Prevention (P2) Week, Sept. 15-21, 2025

2025 P2 Week Poster, designed by Diana Henne. Available for purchase at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/2025-pollution-prevention-week-pollution-prevention-roundtable.html.

The third week of September annually is celebrated as Pollution Prevention, or P2, Week. P2 Week 2025 is September 15-21 using the theme: “40 Years of Pollution Prevention: Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future!”

As defined by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR, emphasis added), “Pollution is the contamination of air, soil, or water by the discharge of harmful substances. Pollution prevention is the reduction or elimination of pollution at the source (source reduction) instead of at the end-of-the-pipe or stack. Pollution prevention occurs when raw materials, water, energy and other resources are utilized more efficiently, when less harmful substances are substituted for hazardous ones, and when toxic substances are eliminated from the production process. By reducing the use and production of hazardous substances, and by operating more efficiently we protect human health, strengthen our economic well-being, and preserve the environment.”

Rather than being a burden on industry, NPPR points out that “Adopting pollution prevention practices and techniques often benefits industry by lowering a company’s operational and environmental compliance costs. By preventing the generation of waste, P2 can also reduce or eliminate long-term liabilities and clean-up costs. Furthermore, disposal costs are reduced when the volume of waste is decreased. This can also lead to a reduction in workplace exposures to hazardous materials which can affect workers’ health and hence, their productivity. If less waste is produced, there will also be a diminished need for on-site storage space. Furthermore, by preventing pollution there will be a greater likelihood that a company will be in compliance with local, state, and federal compliance statutes. Finally, as community pillars, businesses shoulder an important responsibility for protecting the environment and natural resources for their own good as well as that of society.”

In 1990, Congress passed the Pollution Prevention Act (P2Act), which states “The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a source reduction program which collects and disseminates information, provides financial assistance to States, and implements the other activities….”

The technical assistance experts within ISTC’s Center for Economic Impacts and Societal Benefits (CEISB) help businesses, organizations, institutions, and government agencies throughout Illinois and beyond prevent pollution and use resources more efficiently. This benefits our shared environment while also ensuring that companies and communities are more competitive and resilient.

CEISB technical assistance providers currently have federal funding to provide P2 assistance at no cost to certain industrial or market sectors. See the following brief descriptions and links to project flyers:

  • Advancing Beverage Resilience through Pollution Prevention. This collaboration with EnergySense Resilience Center supports breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other craft beverage businesses across the state of Illinois. Following their assessments, participants will also have the chance to assist in shaping the certification process for green beverage manufacturing in Illinois and to be recognized for their sustainability efforts through the Illinois Green Business Program.
  • Mississippi River Corridor Pollution Prevention. ISTC staff are working with partners at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office of Pollution Prevention Services and Missouri State University to provide free industrial sustainability assessments across three states.
  • Pollution Prevention at Food Focused Businesses within DuPage & Kane Counties. Another collaboration with EnergySense Resilience Center, this project is providing free technical assistance to 10 small for and/or non-profit entities, such as restaurants, grocers, and other food-focused businesses and organizations in DuPage and Kane Counties. By getting assessed, businesses can lower operational costs, reduce wasted food & resources, and attract environmentally conscious customers.

Don’t see your sector or organization reflected in the projects listed above? Our team may still be able to assist you through other funding sources or fee-for-service work. Contact us at istc-info@illinois.edu or fill out our online site visit request form.

Learn more

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Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week May 4-10, 2025

ICAW 2025 poster designed by Abbie Sawyer from Athens, Georgia. Abbie is an artist, nature enthusiast, and Compost Education Specialist for the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department.

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is celebrated annually during the first full week of May and is a time to learn more about composting organic wastes (e.g., landscape wastes and food scraps) as part of fostering healthier soil and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A theme is chosen for ICAW in the US each year, and the theme becomes the focus of a poster contest, in which artists age 14 and older from around the world compete. The image above is the winning design for 2025, created by Abbie Sawyer from Georgia.

This year’s theme is “Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!” As explained on the Compost Research & Education Foundation website, “This theme was chosen with the goal of highlighting composting in all kinds of communities at any scale – from the backyard home composter to community composters, to large-scale facilities to all those who recognize the many benefits of using compost on our soils.  As has been done for the past several years, the theme was chosen by all of the international partners who are part of the International Compost Alliance – making it truly an international theme.  This year’s theme was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”*

In its press release announcing ICAW, the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition (IFSCC) explains the following benefits of organic waste recycling and compost use for Illinois communities:

  • Composting reduces methane emissions through aerobic managed decomposition, providing for a more sustainable community.
  • Composting lowers greenhouse gases by improving carbon sequestration in the soil. Getting the carbon back into the soil serves as a “carbon bank,” helping to store carbon thereby removing it from the atmosphere.
  • Compost provides essential nutrients for plants, promoting vibrant gardens and farms. Healthier soil leads to healthier, more nutritious food for our communities.
  • Compost use increases the water-holding capacity of our soils. This is important as our communities are more and more often seeing drought and or intense rain events causing soil runoff and erosion.
  • Community Gardens and Green Spaces: Compost plays a vital role in community gardens, fostering green spaces that provide fresh produce, recreational opportunities, and community gathering places.

Illinois will be hosting over 50 in-person and virtual events during ICAW in over 12 counties. To see a full list of events and find registration information for those that are vitual, check out the IFSCC ICAW 2025 webpage: https://illinoiscomposts.org/icaw-2025/.

If you’re interested in hosting your own ICAW event, check out the IFSCC’s ICAW Host Toolkit, which includes:

  • tabling signage,
  • resources for libraries,
  • a list of relevant children’s books,
  • resources for park districts,
  • social media resources,
  • activities for kids,
  • a guide for hosting a “compost giveback” event (aka a “compost giveaway” or a “bring your own bucket” event),
  • a link to a spreadsheet of food scrap municipal composting programs and drop-off locations, and
  • a link to IFSCC’s guide for where to buy finished compost in IL. (Note that this only includes IFSCC member organizations that are compost manufacturing facilities. If you don’t see a site near you, do an Internet search or consult your county solid waste agency or recycling coordinator for guidance.)

If you’d like to learn more about how to start composting at home, see https://illinoiscomposts.org/composting-at-home/. You can also check out resources from Illinois Extension at https://extension.illinois.edu/composting.

Happy composting!

*Learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how ISTC technical assistance efforts relate to them at https://tap.istc.illinois.edu/tap-alignment-with-un-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs/.

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is an organizational member of the Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition.

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Free sustainability assistance for the IL craft beverage industry

Close up of a man's arms and hands, as he stands by a brewing tank. In one hand he holds a glass with beer in it under a spigot. His other hand controls the spigot.

Stand out from the crowd. Be sustainable, be recognized.

The Beverage Resilience Program offers free help to make Illinois craft beverage businesses more sustainable and save money. Brought to you by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) and our partner the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), this grant-funded program supports breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other craft beverage businesses across the state of Illinois.

Our team will come to your business and perform a comprehensive site assessment to identify opportunities to reduce energy and water use, waste generation, and costs as well as highlight areas where your business is already excelling in sustainability. The opportunities identified will help you to reduce costs as well, promote sustainability in your community, and differentiate yourself from your peers.

Following your assessment, you will also have the chance to assist in shaping the certification process for green beverage manufacturing in Illinois and to be recognized for your sustainability efforts through the Illinois Green Business Program.

How does it work?

  • Initial Meeting – either via email, conference call, or in person, to discuss needs and concerns
  • Opportunity Assessment – conducted on-site to uncover areas for potential change or improvement
  • Report on Findings – a document providing methods for reducing pollution and potential cost savings
  • Implementation Support – assistance for next steps, if needed

  • Project Review – document savings and benefits

What are the benefits?

  • Promotes sustainable manufacturing and growth
  • Improves profitability, productivity and competitiveness
  • Improves workplace safety through less exposure to hazardous materials
  • Reduces environmental impacts such as:
    • water use, energy and materials
    • waste volume and/or toxicity
  • Increases capacity to attract new business
  • Increases recyclability and/or diversion of by-products

How do I sign up?

Interested businesses should fill out the short form at go.illinois.edu/bev_industry.

Questions can be directed to Owen McMahan at omcmahan@illinois.edu.

Download the Beverage Resilience Program flyer.

This opportunity is made possible by a grant from US EPA Region 5.

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ISTC is proud to be a 2025 Food Waste Prevention Week partner

Mark your calendars for Food Waste Prevention Week, scheduled to take place April 7-13 this year. 

The US EPA estimates that in 2019 alone, 66 million tons of wasted food was generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, and most of this waste (about 60%) was sent to landfills. Food Waste Prevention Week (FWPW) is a collaborative effort to raise awareness about food waste and its negative impacts on our society and environment, while also sharing resources to help individuals, families, and organizations reduce their food waste. Because the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) Zero Waste team has experience working on food waste reduction and management projects, ISTC is proud to be a FWPW partner organization for the third year in a row!

Be sure to check ISTC’s social media platforms during April 7-13, for highlights of relevant projects, as well as facts and resources to help you on your food waste reduction journey. If you’re not already following us on social media, you can connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

How do I get involved?

The FWPW website provides a wealth of information to help various sectors with food waste prevention efforts, including descriptions of webinars presented by partners across the country. Here are just a few suggestions for relevant activities and webinars, arranged by sector, including links to ISTC and partner organization resources, as well as links to appropriate sections of the FWPW website for further information and inspiration. Links to specific programs or services are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as endorsements by ISTC, the Prairie Research Institute, or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Colleges & Universities

See https://www.foodwastepreventionweek.com/universities for additional ideas.

Local Governments

See https://www.foodwastepreventionweek.com/cities for additional suggestions for municipalities.

K-12 Schools

See https://www.foodwastepreventionweek.com/k-12schools for additional resources for K-12 schools.

Events, Hospitality, & Sports Teams

See https://www.foodwastepreventionweek.com/events-hospitality for more suggestions for events and hospitality. See this link for more info for sports teams.

Restaurants

 

Individuals & Families