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Contact: LeJane Carson/Susan Stoga
Carson Stoga
Communications
847.884.0000
This summer, Wyndemere's recycling efforts earned it the honor of being the first retirement community in the country to earn an Earth Flag.
The flag was awarded by the DuPage County Environmental Education Program, which was instrumental in Wyndemere achieving its success by conducting both staff and resident education programs. In addition to offering the education programs, Wyndemere also maintained its ongoing recycling program and sponsored a Waste Reduction Activity with compostable glasses, silverware and plates, to earn the Earth flag.
Wyndemere's ongoing recycling efforts cover a number of areas, from reusing the traditional paper, plastic and aluminum to batteries, electronics, plant and nursery items and florescent light bulbs. Wyndemere residents also recycle cell phones, eyeglasses, and shoes and participate in the soup label and box top collections for local schools.
"In March 2004, we also began a pilot composting program where worms are added to food scraps to produce the compost," says Drew Hogue, director of facilities and environmental services.
Resident involvement has been key to the program's success. "The recycling program is a classic example of how effective and far-reaching collaboration between residents and staff can be, " said Joe Benson, Wyndemere Senior Living Campus President.
In addition to actually collecting the items for recycling, the residents provided an impetus for the recycling efforts. "This is something that I'm passionate about," said resident Joanne East, who serves on Wyndemere's recycling committee. "We need to spread the word about the importance of reusing and recycling well beyond Wyndemere."
In presenting the Earth flag, Kay McKeen, director of the DuPage County Environmental Education Program said, "The efforts of both staff and the residents in achieving this goal were incredible. Now the challenge is to spread the word to others. With one million residents in DuPage County alone, the idea is to inspire others to do the same level of achievement."
To help spread the word, Wyndemere is putting together a booklet about how to implement a recycling program. To reserve a copy of the booklet, please call 866-933-4791.
What's next for the recyclers at Wyndemere? Future projects include selling paper and cardboard to pay for trash compacters that will further defray waste removal costs. "Our goal is to earn an Ecology flag next," said Hogue.