Spring Event - Click here for flyer
Purchase Compost Bins, Rain Barrels and Native Plants!

Join us for this special springtime event… a joint effort sponsored by SWALCO, Stormwater Management Commission and Lake County Forest Preserves.

Using Rain Barrels, practicing Backyard Composting, and planting native species are all sustainable and environmentally sound practices that will not only be good for your pocketbook, but for your home, community and beyond.  There are so many wonderful benefits including:  

                    *    Using Rain Barrels reuses stormwater from rooftops and diverts water from storm drains, decreasing the
                          impact of runoff to streams and minizing sewer overflows during heavy rainfall.
                    *    In addition to creating a nutrient rich soil for yards and gardens, composting at home means residents will 
                          dispose of less material in their waste, diverting a large percentage of materials from our landfills. Compst can also  
                          reduce amount of water needed and helps improve resistance to both plant diseases and insect pests.
                    *    Planting native species in your yard can reduce the amount of water needed for gardens, can eliminate the
                          need for fertilizers and chemicals.
Native Plants also support local wildlife, providing food, water and shelter to songbirds, butterfiles and other pollinators as well as
other native wildlife.


COMPOST BIN AND RAIN BARREL SALE                                  NATIVE PLANT SALE
One Day Only                                                                            Two-Day Event
Saturday, May 11, 2013                                                              Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Rain or Shine                                            Sunday, May 12, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Independence Grove Forest Preserve                                             Independence Grove Forest Preserve
Location in the Forest Preserve To Be Determined                      North Bay Pavillion
16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville, IL                                         16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville, IL
(Rt. 137 east of Rt. 21)                                                                 (Rt. 137 east of Rt. 21)
Rain Barrels (55 gallon) $60.00 ($150 value)                                   Purchase plants (native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees)
Compost Bins (11 cubic foot/311 liter capacity$50.00 ($100 value)   that thrive in local garden conditions and provide habitat for
Accessories including $10 Kitchen Scrap Pail,                               native wildlife.
$15 Compost Aerator and $25 Compost                                         Prices vary, starting from $4.50 and up
Thermometer also available.                                                          Cash, Check, Visa and Mastercard
Limited Quantities, Taxes Included
Cash, Check, VIsa, Mastercard, Discover
Products made from recycled content

*     For more information on the Compost Bin and Rain Barrel sale:  Contact SWALCO at (847)336-9340 x-0 or the Stormwater
      Management Commission at (847)377-7700 or www.lakecountyil.gov/stormwater

*     For more information on the Native Plant Sale or to view the list of plants visit www.lcfpd.org/plantsale or call (847)367-6640

COMPOST BINS

Compost food scraps and yard waste at home.   In addition to creating mulch for yards and gardens, composting at home means residents will dispose of less material in their waste.  See below for more information on composting and how-to links.

Currently, there is a state-wide ban on disposing of yard waste (e.g. grass clippings, leaves, etc.) in landfills. Many municipalities offer curbside pick-up of yard waste (check with your local village or city hall to find out what’s available.) If this type of service is not available, there are several compost facilities in Lake County that you can contact for further information. You can also check in the Where Should My Stuff Go?:  Recycle and Redirect Guide for more information about managing yardwaste.

Composting at home has two main benefits: you dispose of less material while making mulch for your plants!  Composting has many benefits for the homeowner, including lower utility bills. 

Composting at home requires a mix of materials high in nitrogen (such as grass clippings and leaves) and materials high in carbon (such as vegetable and fruit peelings).  University of Illinois Extension of Lake County Master Gardeners can also help you with technical questions related to home composting.  Contact them at (847) 223-8627 or on the web at: web.extension.uiuc.edu/lake 

RAIN BARRELS

Interested  in saving on your water bill and helping the environment? 

The Benefits of a Rain Barrel 

A rain barrel connected to your downspout is a great way to keep stormwater out of the system and to cut down your water bill!  Because you are collecting right off the roof, it has few contaminants and is perfect for watering the garden.

Diverting water from your downspout into rainwater catchment systems has several advantages:

• Helps recharge the water supply.
• Lowers the percentage of roof top rainfall as a component of urban runoff
• Saves money by lowering your water bill
• Reduces the volume of water flowing to the sewer treatment facilities.
• Backup source of water during times of drought or between rain showers.
• Helps keep our creeks, lakes and beaches clean.
• Naturally softened water - great for delicate houseplants, auto cleaning and window washing.
• Reduces the need for additional tax dollars earmarked for sewer expansion
• Chlorine-free water helps maintain a healthy biotic community in the soil
• Education tool for teaching residents about water conservation.