During a recent village meeting, Walter Willis from the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County presented the new Hefty Renew program aimed at improving plastic waste management in the community. The initiative encourages residents to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics, such as plastic bags and food wraps, through a designated drop-off system rather than traditional curbside recycling.

Willis detailed the program's history, noting that concerns about plastic waste have been raised since 2006, leading to various legislative efforts to enhance recycling practices. The Hefty Renew program, which has been successfully implemented in other regions since 2016, is now being introduced in Illinois. Residents can purchase special orange bags designed for collecting these plastics, which will then be dropped off at the village's public works recycling facility.

The program is voluntary, allowing residents to opt-in and participate at their discretion. Willis emphasized that the collected materials will undergo mechanical recycling, ensuring they are transformed into new products rather than being used for fuel. This approach aims to address environmental concerns while promoting responsible waste management.

The village has already begun disseminating information about the program through newsletters and community outreach, with plans for ongoing education to ensure residents understand how to participate effectively. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills, with hopes of achieving higher participation rates than similar programs in other areas.

Overall, the Hefty Renew program represents a proactive step towards enhancing recycling efforts and reducing plastic waste in the village, with strong community engagement anticipated as the program rolls out.