Schaumburg wins Governor’s Home Town Award

Schaumburg has just won the Governor’s 2011 Home Town Award for Beautification and Sustainability for Division VI in recognition of its 2010 recycling event — with the knowledge that its 2011 event was even bigger.

The 2010 event was recognized for its growth from a small-scale affair for the proper disposal of small electronics and paper shredding to one that could handle large televisions.

This was made possible by a grant the village received at the time, said Martin Metreger, logistics coordinator for Schaumburg’s Engineering and Public Works Department.

Every year, the village strives to make its Earth Day recycling event even more convenient and comprehensive for residents, Metreger said. It was able to include oil and antifreeze this year, but he’s still working on including paint and other types of household hazardous waste.

The nearest disposal location for Schaumburg residents to take such items themselves is Naperville, which is a bit of an inconvenience, he said.

“There are alternatives, but people like events like ours because they’re a one-stop shop,” Metreger said. “We’re trying to provide all this at no cost to the residents.”

The village has had a few important partners in its efforts: Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54, which provides the use of its administration center parking lot on Schaumburg Road; the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association of Schaumburg, which provides many volunteers; and Hanover Park, with whom Schaumburg provides mutual support for each other’s events.

At the event for which the village is being recognized, more than 100,000 pounds of material was collected for recycling and proper disposal.

The next recycling event will take place Saturday, April 21, 2012.