Ocie’s Recycling Crew

08/04/2021

Dear Mrs. Reardon,

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for H.R. 3764, the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents and receiving your input on issues.

The Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act seeks to address the role of our oceans in climate change solutions through a comprehensive legislative package that promotes offshore renewable energy, protecting blue carbon, supporting climate-ready fisheries, expanding marine protected areas, improving ocean health and more. I hear your support for this legislation. As your representative, I understand and appreciate your concern regarding climate change. I strongly believe that preserving our environment and making it sustainable for future generations is essential to maintaining our way of life. In doing so, I recognize the importance of acting with integrity and transparency while promoting the use of cleaner energy. We all must do our part to flip the script on this crisis and put our environment on a path to sustainability. Please be assured I will keep your views in mind should the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act come before the full House of Representatives in the future.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me. From time to time, I provide electronic updates on issues in which you might be interested. If you would like to receive my E-newsletter, please sign up on my website at http://bustos.house.gov. On my website you can also see my voting record, and get further information about the issues important to our district. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance to you or your family.

Kindest Regards,

Cheri

Sincerely,

Rep. Cheri Bustos
Member of Congress

07/31/2021

We’re ready to take cardboard boxes from Lake Carroll to the recycling center today! Thank you to our donors!

06/02/2021

Now accepting:

Century Baby Gear - Century™ baby gear products, including car seats, highchairs, strollers and playards
Gillette Razor - All brands of blades, razors, and plastic packaging
RB Health & Nutrition - All brands of health and nutrition packaging

Check out our website for more information. Please ensure items that are sharp are clean, dry and safely placed in a bag before dropping off at our garage.

While shipping is free for the RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program, the baby gear and razors do not. Contributions to help with shipping are encouraged and appreciated.

06/01/2021

More great news! We are an official recycling location for the RB Health & Nutrition Recycling Program. This is a national recycling program for packaging from all brands of vitamins, minerals, and supplements; cough, cold and flu medicine; personal care, and foot care products; and infant formula and child nutrition.

Once collected, the waste is broken down and separated by material. Plastics are cleaned and pelletized, and metals are melted down.

***Please note that this program does not accept any prescription bottles for recycling.***

What you can recycle

Vitamins, minerals, and supplements packaging: blister packs, tubes, bottles, caps, lids, cans, boxes

Cough, cold, flu, sore throat, and nasal care packaging​: blister packs, tubes, bottles, spray bottles, caps, lids

Infant formula and child nutrition packaging: tubs, bottles, caps, lids, cans, boxes

Personal care and foot care packaging: tubes, bottles, caps, lids, plastic packaging

Drop off location:
26-59 Blackwood Ct

Shipping is free for this program.

*If you choose to recycle these items, please ensure all excess product liquids, such as medicines and topicals, have been removed.

*If you choose to rinse your products, note they must be completely dry prior to shipping. UPS will not accept dripping packages.

TerraCycle® and RB have partnered to create a national recycling program for all brands of vitamins and supplements, cough, cold and flu packaging, sexual health and well-being, personal care packaging, footcare packaging, and infant formula and child nutrition packaging.

06/01/2021

Great news! Ocie and I submitted an application and are now an official location to recycle all brands of blades, razors, and plastic packaging through the Gillette® Razor Recycling Program.

Once collected and the box is completely full, the blades, razors, and plastic packaging are cleaned and separated by material. Metals are smelted into ingots for reuse, and plastics are melted down and turned into pellets, flakes, and other usable formats that can be remolded to make new recycled products, such as park benches and picnic tables.

Shipping is not free for this program.

Drop off location:
26-59 Blackwood Ct

*If you choose to recycle these items, please rinse what needs rinsed and safely secure items in a sealed bag before placing in our bin.

TerraCycle® and Gillette® have partnered to make razors recyclable nationwide.

05/27/2021

05/26/2021

Reusing plastic bottles as drainage for our big plants! It is so much lighter to carry♻️🌱

05/21/2021

Who: State of Illinois Legislative
What: Styrofoam and Plastics Ban, Carryout Bag Fee Act, plus Incentives
Where: State of Illinois
When: In progress; As early as July 1, 2021

Why: It is imperative that Lake Carroll begins to consider reusable food containers, compostable/recyclable foodware in order to prepare for the upcoming legislative changes to combat plastic pollution.

An example is OZZI, “a revolutionary system that eliminates traditional disposable take-out containers for all segments of the food service industry by utilizing enhanced technology.”

https://www.planetozzi.com

“In an effort to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution, a group of state lawmakers from both legislative chambers touted a series of bills Tuesday, Feb. 18, that would tax or ban single-use plastics and aim to boost recycling.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article240420436.html

HB5169, SB3677 EPA-POLYSTYRENE FOAM BAN
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2022, a store may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act's provisions.

HB3335 CARRYOUT BAG FEE ACT
Creates the Carryout Bag Fee Act. Provides that a carryout bag fee of $0.10 is imposed on each carryout bag used by a customer at retail establishments, except in municipalities with a population greater than 1,000,000, with $0.03 being returned to the retail establishment, $0.04 into the Carryout Bag Fee Fund, $0.01 to the Prairie Research Institute of the University of Illinois, $0.01 into the Solid Waste Management Fund, and $0.01 into the Partners for Conservation Fund. Provides that the carryout bag fee does not apply to the retail sale or use of carryout bags that are used to carry items purchased under specified governmental food assistance programs. Repeals the new Act on January 1, 2026. Amends the State Finance Act making conforming changes. Amends the Counties Code and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county or municipality may not ban, place a fee or tax on, or regulate in any other manner the use, disposition, content, taxation, or sale of carryout bags. Limits the applicability of the provisions as they relate to a county or municipality that charged a fee or tax on carryout bags on February 1, 2018 and specified recycling programs. Limits home rule power

Incentives:

SB3764 PROCUREMENT-SINGLE USE PLASTIC
State contract is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of compostable foodware or recyclable foodware may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so. Prohibits the procurement and use of single-use plastic disposable foodware at State parks, natural areas, and the Illinois State Fair. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to the procurement of single-use plastic disposable straws if a State agency is servicing medically vulnerable persons. Defines terms.

HB5552, SB3424 RECYCLING-BEVERAGE CONTAINER
Creates the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Act. Provides for a deposit value of 5 cents to be paid by consumers on each beverage container sold in the State by a dealer for consumption. Provides that upon the return to a dealer or person operating a redemption center, the dealer or redemption center shall pay the value of the deposit back to the consumer as a refund. Sets forth requirements for the administration of the program. Provides certain exemptions to the program. Requires that the refund value be clearly indicated on all beverage containers sold in the State. Provides for the Environmental Protection Agency to certify redemption centers. Prohibits snap-top beverage containers. Provides that persons violating the Act shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Prohibits the manufacture of certain plastic metal beverage containers. Prohibits the disposal of beverage containers at sanitary landfills. Provides that deposits not passed on to the consumer through bottle redemption shall be distributed as follows: 75% to the Agency for environmental and conservation-related programs, and 25% to each distributor in proportion to the amount of beverage containers each distributor sold in the State. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Fund. Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that a full service restaurant or quick service restaurant shall not provide single use plastic disposable foodware items to a consumer ordering or purchasing dine-in food unless requested by the consumer. Contains other specified requirements for full service or quick service restaurants and provides civil penalties for any violations. Effective July 1, 2021

In an effort to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution, a group of state lawmakers from both legislative chambers touted a series of bills Tuesday, Feb. 18, that would tax or ban single-use plastics and aim to boost recycling.

05/20/2021

Who: State of Illinois; Rep. Delia C. Ramirez and Robyn Gabel
What: RECYCLING-BEVERAGE CONTAINER HB2651
Where: HQ
When: May 20, 2021

Why: In effort to advance Illinois in recycling, we initiated communication with Rep. Delia C. Ramirez and Robyn Gabel to advocate for this $0.05 change.

HB2651
Creates the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Act. Provides for a deposit value of 5 cents to be paid by consumers on each beverage container sold in the State by a dealer for consumption. Provides that upon the return to a dealer or person operating a redemption center, the dealer or redemption center shall pay the value of the deposit back to the consumer as a refund. Sets forth requirements for the administration of the program. Provides certain exemptions to the program. Requires that the refund value be clearly indicated on all beverage containers sold in the State. Provides for the Environmental Protection Agency to certify redemption centers. Prohibits snap-top beverage containers. Provides that persons violating the Act shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Prohibits the manufacture of certain plastic metal beverage containers. Prohibits the disposal of beverage containers at sanitary landfills. Provides that deposits not passed on to the consumer through bottle redemption shall be distributed as follows: 75% to the Agency for environmental and conservation-related programs, and 25% to each distributor in proportion to the amount of beverage containers each distributor sold in the State. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Container Fee and Deposit Fund.

Actions
2/14/2019 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Delia C. Ramirez
2/14/2019 House First Reading
2/14/2019 House Referred to Rules Committee
2/26/2019 House Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee
3/29/2019 House Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
8/9/2019 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
3/12/2020 House Assigned to Energy & Environment Committee
6/23/2020 House Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
1/13/2021 House Session Sine Die

05/20/2021

Who: Ocie’s Recycling Crew
What: Researching Collection Points
Where: Target of Davenport, IA and EZ Nickel Redemption of Clinton, IA
When: May 19, 2020

Why: We like weighing our best recycling options so, we drove West to Iowa. Mom and I think it’s a good idea since they offer 5 cents per item for aluminum cans, soda pop and glass bottles. After earning myself a toy at Target for a job well done at home, a small sign by the customer service desk caught our attention on the way out. Meet Target’s best employee, Boston. He’s my new friend and was really helpful because he explained to me how Target’s Recycling Program operates.

Target stores have a guest recycling station located in the front of each store. The station is available for bottle and can recycling (aluminum, glass and plastic beverage containers), plastic film (high and low density such as plastic bags and bubble wrap), and small device electronics recycling (think MP3 players, GPS devices and ink cartridges). https://help.target.com/help/TargetGuestHelpArticleDetail?articleId=ka91Y000000g4OpQAI&articleTitle=Can+I+recycle+items+at+a+Target+store%3F


Thinking the day couldn’t get any better, we found EZ Nickel Redemption in Clinton, IA and met Rob Evers. His store opened once local grocery stores moved away from can recycling in 2018. Mr. Rob said since he has an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources to operate as an approved redemption site, local stores send customers to him now.

Mom and I asked what types of recyclables he accepts, how many bags can be dropped-off at a time and what we can do to make his job easier after we start bringing in the loot. This is what we found out:

- One full clear bag with aluminum cans is approximately 240, or 144 plastic soda pop bottles.
- With each drop-off, he welcomes an unlimited number of full bags
- They sell clear bags and can boxes for EZ stocking
- He will meet us on his off days if we call ahead of time (so awesome and so kind!)
- Best practice is to rinse all the cans and bottles

We definitely found our go-to recycling redemption center for large quantities from LC and look forward to seeing Mr. Rob soon!

05/19/2021

Who: Communities, Companies, Individuals
What: Cigarette Waste Recycling Program
Where: High traffic areas
When: Start today

Why: Every year, billions of cigarette butts end up in dumpsters and landfills, or get tossed as litter on shorelines, parks, and sidewalks across the US. With funding from Santa Fe Natural To***co Company, the waste collected through this program is recycled into a variety of industrial products, such as plastic pallets, and any remaining to***co is recycled as compost.

You can order exclusive receptacles designed specifically for recycling cigarette waste in your community or at your business location.

Receptacles are perfect for standardizing cigarette recycling in small or large-scale outdoor environments. These metal receptacles can be equipped with steel bolt bands for flexible placement at your location.

Every year, billions of cigarette butts end up in dumpsters and landfills. The waste collected through this program is recycled into new products, such as plastic pallets, and any remaining to***co is recycled as compost.