Sustainability at Home

Here are some actions (both large and small) that you can undertake to help the Village of Skokie achieve our sustainability goals. 

Recycle

Cut down on what you throw away whether it be paper/plastic/glass, textiles, food or electronics. The less that goes into our landfills the better!

Paper/Plastic/Glass Recycling
Skokie households receive a 65-gallon cart that is serviced by Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS). Collection of recyclable materials occurs every week in single-family residential areas.
Village Recycling webpage
Village Recycling brochure

Textile Recycling
Skokie's partner for textile recycling is a company called Simple Recycling. To schedule a front-door pick-up, call 1-866-835-5068 or visit www.simplerecycling.com 
List of accepted items
https://www.skokie.org/1305/Textile-Recycling

Medication Recycling
The Village of Skokie offers two options for recycling unused, expired and unwanted medications, both prescription and over-the-counter varieties. A medication drop box is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the lobby at Skokie Police Headquarters, 7300 Niles Center Road. Medications also may be brought to the Skokie Health Department on the lower level of Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Village Medication Recycling Program webpage

Battery Recycling
Safe disposal of batteries is dependent on the type of battery: alkaline, lithium, rechargeable. 
SWANCC Battery Recycling Handout

Other Items
Are you looking to dispose of a particular item but aren’t sure how to properly do so? The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) Green Pages is a wonderful resource, which can direct you to various organizations and retailers in the area that have the ability to either donate used items or recycle them. 
SWANCC Green Pages Directory

Compost

According to the EPS, food waste accounts for over 20% of municipal solid waste. 

Backyard Composting
The Village allows for composting of certain household food scraps, in addition to yard waste, on single family residential properties in approved containers. In addition, they offer residents a $25 rebate with proof of purchase of a commercially available composting container that meets these requirements.
SEAC website

Curbside Composting
Skokie partners with Collective Resource for residential curbside composting. For a fee, residents are provided door-to-door pickup of food scraps and other compostable matter. 
Collective Resource website

Go Solar

The Village of Skokie has been awarded SolSmart Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.
Learn more about solar energy options in Skokie including installing roof top solar panels and the community solar program.

Become Energy Efficient

Community members looking to reduce their utility bills and save energy are encouraged to take the Village’s Energy Efficiency Day pledge, which includes a number of no-cost energy efficient actions and helpful resources. Actions include taking advantage of energy efficient appliance rebates, ordering a free home weatherization kit, enrolling in energy-saving utility programs, and more.

Install Permeable Pavers or a Rain Garden

Learn the best ways to manage stormwater in the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Green Guide.

Protect Pollinators by Gardening

The Village of Skokie allows for both front- and backyard gardening and hoop houses with some restrictions 
Learn more

Walk or Bike

Not only is walking or biking healthier for you but it is better for our planet. 
Bike Skokie website
Walk Skokie website