Green fair coming to Libertyville

Earth Day-style activities will arrive in Libertyville a bit early this year with the Green Living Fair on March 12.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Libertyville Civic Center, combines the forces of many organizations and the Lake County Green Congregations, a coalition of eight churches.

“The gist is to engage the public and to encourage recycling,” said Katey Aynilian, one of the organizers, who started a green team at United Methodist Church nearly three years ago.

“We’re recycling plastic bags, crayons, gym shoes, ink cartridges, glasses ... even wine corks,” she said. Electronics (no television sets) and foam blocks are among a range of items that will be accepted for recycling.

The original green team was created “to look at ways our congregation could do better,” regarding environmental issues, Aynilian explained. They started small with items, such as using ceramic rather than Styrofoam cups and installing a bike rack.

Aynilian began checking to see if members of other congregations were interested and nearly a dozen showed up to brainstorm, she added. The discussion evolved into hosting a community service event, which last year was held on Earth Day.

Earth Day this year is April 22, but the Green Living Fair is being held well in advance to avoid conflict with other activities, and to ensure a full roster of participants.

Organizers recently were granted permission from the village board to use the parking lot behind the Civic Center, 135 W. Church St., as a recycling drop-off site and to install signs and banners and other details related to the event.

The free event is sponsored by the Libertyville Civic Center Foundation and the church group.

“It’s a great opportunity to make people aware of what’s going on,” said Chris Grable, who chairs the earth stewardship commission at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Several organizations, including the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, local organic farmers, Lake County Bicycle Club and the Lake County Forest Preserve District, will provide information or staff at the Green Living Fair.

Visitors will be able to learn about composting, organic gardening and reducing waste among other subjects.

“It really seems like people are becoming more conscious,” about environmental issues, Grable said. “It’s just getting that education out to people.”