More than 1,000 households participate in annual Sharefest Recyclepalooza

Other events scheduled for September and October

WILL COUNTY -- More than 1,000 households participated in the 2018 Sharefest Recyclepalooza in New Lenox on Sept. 8.

The annual Sharefest Recyclepalooza is the County’s largest annual event with more than 1,000 homes bringing all sorts of items from computers and TVs to lawn chemicals and old gasoline, along with unwanted wood, scrap metal, Styrofoam, clothing, books, home goods, donations for the troops, items for the food pantries and worn American Flags for ceremonial destruction, said Will County’s Recycling Specialist Marta Keane with the Land Use Department’s Resource Recovery Division.

“Will County has partnered with ShareFest for more than 10 years to offer this amazing event,” said Will County Executive Larry Walsh “It is heartwarming to see how many of our residents participate to recycle, donate materials and food to their neighbors and support our community.”

Keane said, “Our recently instituted appointment system worked really well at ShareFest. We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback on how things ran. One woman wrote on our Facebook page ‘Great organization – entered, unloaded electronics, hazardous waste and foam, and exited – all in under 10 minutes.’ We’re gratified that people are adapting to this new system.”

More events

Will County is offering electronic and household hazardous waste collection events on Saturday, Sept 15, in Wilmington and on Saturday, Sept 29 in Homer Glen. The events are being offered by appointment to keep participants moving and to better staff the events, said Keane.

This year, there will be an additional electronics-only collection event in Shorewood, just off Rt. 59, on Oct. 20.

All electronic waste collections are in addition to the seven sites that accept electronics year round.

“Totals for the ShareFest Recyclepolooza are still be calculated, but we know a full semi of Styrofoam was taken, along with 130 yards of wood, nearly 4,000 pounds of scrap metal and several truckloads of donations,” said Keane. “ShareFest distributes the donations throughout Will County.”

The Land Use Department is under the County Executive’s office and is led by Director David Dubois.  For additional information about the Land Use Department go to www.willcountygreen.com.