Several companies will help Glen Ellyn recycle

Who says recycling is limited to paper, plastic and aluminum?

This weekend, companies will set up shop in Glen Ellyn to accept nearly everything under the sun at the annual Recycling Extravaganza.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the village commuter parking lot at Duane and Lorraine streets.

Those interested can enter from westbound Duane Street in their cars and drop off items they've run across while spring cleaning.

The event, which is organized by the Environmental Commission, also includes a the Prairie Path cleanup. The signup for that is from 8 to 10 a.m., although organizers warn the list fills up pretty quickly.

The popular book exchange also will return.

"The goal is to really provide residents a place to recycle items that otherwise might end up in the landfill," said Christina Collison, the village staff liaison to the Environmental Commission. "The event really focuses on items that can't be put out in your regular recycling."

This is also the first year the event will include electronics recycling.

Last year, the extravaganza brought in 450 vehicles dropping off unwanted goods.

"We're expecting to have more this year," Collison said.

The companies participating Saturday, April 28, include:

• Sims Recycling Solutions, Inc., which will accept electronics, such as computers, keyboards, printers, cables, monitors and stereo equipment;

• Aurora Tri-State, which will collect used fire extinguishers;

• Book Exchange, where you can trade your books and magazines for new ones;

• Boy Scout Troop 45, whose members will round up unwanted American flags;

• Exide, which will collect lead-acid batteries that are used in cars, lawn mowers and ATVs;

• It's Our Earth, which wants your old records albums, juice pouches, neckties and buttons;

• Lions Club, which is big on old hearing aids and glasses;

• Neil's Hauling, specializing in non-working appliances, scrap metal and lawn mowers;

• Salvation Army, which wants household items, children's items, shoes and clothing;

• SCARCE, which will be happy to take cell phones, inkjet cartridges and gym shoes;

• Transtech Mobility, which gathers medical equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs but won't accept biohazard materials;

• U'S Again, which will take clothing and shoes;

• VIM, which specializes in scrap metal, oversize plastic and PVC pipes; and

• Working Bikes, which, as its name suggests, will take working bikes.

For more information, call (630) 469-5000 or visit glenellyn.org.