KANE COUNTY, Ill. ' Solid waste staff briefed the Energy and Environmental Committee on Sept. 12 about outreach materials, a county recycling event on Sept. 27 and a planned regional recycling education campaign.

Solid waste coordinator (presenter) showed a revised recycling poster tailored for Building A staff areas that emphasizes items commonly found in office collections and highlights contaminants that cause sorting problems (for example, black plastic deli trays and foam plastics). Staff said the poster is a modification of the state's recycling guidance and is intended for internal use in county buildings.

Staff also previewed a community drop-off event set for Sept. 27 at the Circuit Clerk's Building that will include shredding, paper recycling, clothing and textile collection for reuse, latex paint recycling, small home goods for reuse and bicycle collection. Solid waste staff requested volunteers for the event and said they have good local volunteer support.

Separately, solid waste staff said they are close to launching a regional recycling-education and outreach campaign developed with counterparts in neighboring counties and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus; staff plan to debut the campaign creative assets in an October or November press event and to integrate selected creative into the county's green guide and local materials.

Staff also reported that building management is auditing bin locations and will adjust recycling bins in county buildings as needed; committee members asked for follow-up on bin placement in the committee room.

The committee expressed support, and staff said the first campaign appearance may include a host that uses recycled materials in local manufacturing as an example to demonstrate material markets.