Sente brings recycling to Vernon Hills

Submitted by State Rep. Carol Sente

State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, recently teamed up with the Vernon Hills Park District, the Village of Vernon Hills, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, AT&T and Westfield Hawthorn Mall to provide families with an environmentally friendly way to dispose of a variety of household items.

"It was wonderful to see over 174 residents taking advantage of our free event and making sustainable practices part of their daily lives," Sente said. "As recycling technology advances, it is my hope that we can continue to incorporate additional items at our future events, including electronics recycling."

Working to expand community recycling opportunities and strengthen existing laws, Sente sponsored House Bill 1455 this year in the General Assembly. Current Illinois law requires electronics manufacturers to reuse or recycle a percentage of the total weight of devices sold in Illinois, and they often hire third-party recyclers help them achieve their goal through community collection events.

Under the legislation backed by Sente, the amounts that manufacturers must recycle and the penalties for falling short would be increased, while also offering incentives for businesses that choose to exceed requirements.

House Bill 1455 passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and currently awaits the governor's consideration. Sente's measure is supported by SWALCO, as well as a variety of environmental and business groups.

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