[LUNI] Goose Island recycling center

[Jeff Y.]

--Below is from an article in today's Trib.


City expands recycling effort
Goose Island facility to accept computers, household chemicals
By Ofelia Casillas
Tribune staff reporter
Published November 19, 2006

In a step to protect Chicago's environment, Mayor Richard M. Daley
announced Saturday the opening of the city's first permanent Household
Chemical and Computer Recycling Center.

The $3.8 million, 24,000-square-foot facility, at 1150 N. North Branch St.
on Goose Island, will recycle computers, dispose of household hazardous
chemicals and swap old paint for free.

"Chicago has been making strides to become the most environmentally
friendly city in the country," Daley said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony
inside the facility. "We need to dispose of these hazardous household
products safely."

Through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity, and Computers for Schools, city officials also
announced an 11-week program at the center that will train ex-offenders in
electronics recycling.

Inmates at the Illinois Department of Corrections made the training
center's furniture.

South Side resident Andre McDearmon, 22, said he is an ex-offender who was
trained in computer recycling.

"It's perfect--a lot of ex-offenders want to do the right thing," he said.
"They trained me. I just got a job."

Betsy Vandercook, president of the Chicago Recycling Coalition, said the
new facility marks progress for the city.

"It's just a start," she said, as she toured the facility Saturday. "They
are going to have to set up outposts for this. Our desire is always to see
it expand as quickly as possible."

The facility has the capacity to divert up to 500 tons of obsolete and
out-of-date electronics from area landfills and 500 tons of discarded
batteries, city officials said.

The facility also accepts antifreeze, gasoline, fluorescent lamps and
bulbs, drain cleaners and cell phones.

It will be open from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursdays
and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month.

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ocasillas at tribune.com

Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
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