Thanks for backing recycling campaign

The members of the Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission would like to thank the residents of Wheaton and surrounding communities for their amazing (and patient) participation in the annual Recycling Extravaganza held on April 19.

Collected for reuse or recycling were the following:

Fifty-three tons of electronics, 9.26 tons of scrap metal, thousands of books saved by residents for themselves and overseas projects, seven tons of old books and cardboard, 228 solid lead acid batteries, 464 pairs of eyeglasses, 10 pounds of old keys, 332 bikes, 284 lawn and household power and hand tools, 454 cell phones, 340 gym shoes and 65 ink jet cartridges.

Additionally, 306 American flags were dropped off for formal retirement by the American Legion.

At least 1,300 cars passed through the commuter parking lot during the six hour event. The event could not have taken place without the assistance of the many community volunteers from the Central DuPage Rotary, the American Legion, the Wheaton Lions Club, the Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission, SCARCE, It's Our Earth store and the DUU Gooders from DuPage Unitarian Church.

Also providing invaluable assistance were many individual community members and students from National Louis University and Driscoll Catholic, Wheaton Warrenville South, Wheaton North and St. Francis high schools. Thanks also to Whole Foods for providing snacks and drinks for the volunteers.

Finally, it's important to recognize the good natured assistance of the following non-profits and businesses in dealing with so much in so short a time: SCARCE, the Resource Center of Chicago, Weyerhauser, Sims Industries, Exide Technologies and Neil's Hauling in West Chicago.

It was a grand day for the planet we all share.

Mary Vieregg

Member, Wheaton Environmental Improvement Commission