Environmental Defenders, Woodstock Public Works to host ribbon cutting for Styrofoam collection site May 11

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, at Woodstock Public Works, 326 Washington St. This occasion marks the opening of The Environmental Defenders' third Styrofoam Collection site in the county.

The Environmental Defenders has partnered with Woodstock Public Works Administration and will accept clean Styrofoam - meaning no food residue, expanded polystyrene, and packing peanuts at the site from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Expected at the ceremony include Defenders' board members, Styrofoam collection volunteers, Rotary and Chamber Club members, assistant director of public works and the mayor and city manager of Woodstock as well as city council members.

The Environmental Defenders has also partnered with U-Haul of Crystal Lake to provide a truck for the transportation of the collected Styrofoam from this and other sites to a warehouse in Elgin at Chicago Logistic Service. Dart Corporation in Aurora has teamed up with The Environmental Defenders to provide a semitrailer for transporting the Styrofoam from Elgin to their facility in Aurora where it is upcycled. The Environmental Defenders is pleased to offer this service to all McHenry County residents in order to preserve and protect our environment.

Styrofoam, expanded polystyrene, is a plastic product made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource that breaks down into smaller pieces over time, polluting and contaminating water resources and endangering aquatic life and our food-stream. Petroleum-based packaging materials, like polystyrene, have serious environmental consequences. The reduction in use of polystyrene products, such as plates, cups and takeout containers, is vital, but in the meantime, The Environmental Defenders continue to advocate for the upcycling of this bulky product in order to prevent it from inundating landfills.

Founded in 1970, The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment. Donations and membership are encouraged and appreciated. For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call (815) 338-0393, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.