SCARCE

05/29/2026

Just a reminder about these recycling events happening tomorrow!

Learn more about them here: https://www.scarce.org/recycling-events/

There are recycling events happening throughout the area this Saturday, May 30th! Come on by with your items to be reused or recycled!

Learn more about what's accepted at each event on our website here: https://www.scarce.org/recycling-events/

05/29/2026

Today is Learn About Composting Day!

Composting is one of the best ways to dispose of your food scraps. If you're building your own compost at your home, there are a few rules to follow to make sure that you are successful. First, you should only add plant-based food scraps and eggshells. Adding meat, dairy, or processed food can attract wildlife to your compost and prevent it from being broken down properly. You should also make sure to turn your compost and add water as needed so that you have the right moisture levels.

Find out even more about composting at the Feed Your Garden Compost Presentation on Thursday, June 18th, 7:00pm-8:30pm at the Villa Park Public Library, 305W. Ardmore Ave.

Join Kay McKeen from SCARCE and Bill Karges as they discuss this simple, impactful habit which can save money on fertilizer while supporting a circular, sustainable environment.
Co-sponsored by Go Green Villa Park.
Register for the event here: https://villapark.librarycalendar.com

05/28/2026

CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS: It's almost time for our BOGO book sale in our public store, Scarcely Used Books & Records! For all of June, adult fiction, non-fiction, and young adult books will be buy one, get one FREE!

Share with your book loving friends!

05/27/2026

Planning on eating locally-sourced fish? Here is some information on how to keep yourself and others safe!

Despite the many health benefits of eating fish, they often are hosts for many toxic substances. This includes heavy metals like mercury, PFOS, PFAS, PCBs, and pesticides. These chemicals tend to accumulate across the food chain, meaning predatory fish have a higher amount of toxins.

To limit your exposure to harmful chemicals, eat fish lower in the food chain, check for your location on the fish advisories, process and clean your fish properly, and reduce fish consumption overall.

For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health's websites about fish toxicology guidelines.
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/toxicology/fish-advisories/fish-and-your-health.html

https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/toxicology/fish-advisories/facts-about-illinois--pfas-advisories.html

https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/toxicology/fish-advisories.html

DuPage County Stormwater Management

05/27/2026

It's E-blast Day! Check out some of the items that we are highlighting in the Reuse Center this week. Make sure to spread the word and SHARE our weekly e-blast with your friends! Reuse Center boxes are $10 each!

Our Reuse Center for school teachers and non-profits is open Monday - Friday -4:30pm and Saturdays -12:00pm. Same hours as our SCARCE-LY Used store.
We are located at 800 S. Rohlwing Rd (Route 53) in Addison.

Learn more about our policies and who can get items here: https://www.scarce.org/reuse.../who-can-get-books-supplies/

Don't forget to check out our public store's E-blast, too!
https://www.facebook.com/scarcelyused

05/26/2026

There are recycling events happening throughout the area this Saturday, May 30th! Come on by with your items to be reused or recycled!

Learn more about what's accepted at each event on our website here: https://www.scarce.org/recycling-events/

05/26/2026

Do you love to fish? If so, please be careful and responsible about what you're doing with your fishing line!

When tangled fishing lines are left in tree branches and at the bottom of lakes and ponds, they can cause serious harm to wildlife. Lines that are left out are very hard for animals to see, leading to birds, fish, turtles, and other animals getting entangled.

Being part of the solution is easy, though! Many natural areas have specific drop-off tubes where you can put your fishing line once you're done. These receptacles are better than regular garbage cans as animals can't easily access what's inside of them. There are also fishing line recycling programs at Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's stores where anyone can drop off their fishing line!

Also, remember that even if you weren't the one to leave it, it takes only a few seconds to remove fishing line and other pieces of litter from our natural areas. Little things add up and even picking up a few small pieces of litter such as fishing lines makes a big difference!

05/22/2026

Today is !
This year's theme is acting locally for global impact. The most important message is that major changes begin on a small, local scale. This means communities, organizations, and governments working together to increase biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the measure of the variety of plant and animal species in an living ecosystem. We need biodiversity for ecosystems to function and remain resilient. Working ecosystems help people live healthy, happy lives by providing food, pollution absorption, and medicine.

Some of the most impactful ways that you can help local biodiversity are by being conscious of the chemicals that you use in and around your home. Reducing the use of pesticides AND fertilizers is extremely helpful to local biodiversity.

Finally, get involved with local conservation efforts! Volunteer for your local nature center, remove invasive species, and educate yourself on ways to preserve and increase biodiversity in your community.

05/21/2026

On Monday, SCARCE and DuPage County Stormwater Management awarded the Water Quality Flag to the Addison Park District!

They have put in an enormous amount of work to protect our watersheds. Here are a few examples of their initiatives:

-Restored natural areas through numerous projects. They improved stormwater infiltration in their ponds, created a native plant garden, removed invasive plant species, planted native trees for Arbor Day, and added more than 1,600 native plugs throughout their parks.
-Installed Storm Drain Medallions in their parks to prevent contaminants from getting in our rivers and streams.
-Set up rain barrels.

Congratulations Addison Park District! You are setting an amazing example for taking care of our planet's beautiful waterways. Thank you!

05/21/2026

The school year is coming to an end, but we know so many teachers want to start preparing now for the next school year! SCARCE’s Reuse Center makes it cheap and easy to get what you need and more.

Location: 800 S. Rohlwing Rd (Unit D), Addison, IL
Shopping hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm, Saturdays 9am-12pm