Recycling | Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

Orange and Blue Go Green

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) participated in several events during the 2012 UI Sustainability Week, October 22-26, 2012. The center was one of the stops on the Sustainability Scavenger Hunt. ISTC gave out biodegradable plastic sports bottles at its location in the hunt and has also donated reusable tote bags made from recycled plastic […]

International e-waste competition underway

Current college/university students and recent graduates have an opportunity to create useful and appealing products from e-waste—computers, printers, cell phones and similar materials that would normally end up in landfills. And their efforts could win them prizes. The International E-Waste Design Competition (www.ewaste.illinois.edu), allows participants will explore solutions to this problem at the local level […]

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is May 3-9, 2026

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is celebrated annually during the first full week of May and is a time to learn more about composting organic wastes (e.g., landscape wastes and food scraps) as part of fostering healthier soil and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A theme is chosen for ICAW in the US each year, […]

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week May 4-10, 2025

IL battery recycling law goes into effect

Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois law requires battery manufacturers to fund battery collection for recycling, with no cost to the consumer. Batteries can NOT be recycled in your home recycling bin. They may only be recycled through special drop-off collection locations. Why battery recycling matters Batteries are made from metals and minerals mined using processes […]

IL residents can now recycle paint and related products

Illinois recently became the 11th state to launch a paint stewardship program. Beginning December 1, 2025, residents can recycle leftover paint (both latex and oil-based), primers, stains, sealers, and varnishes conveniently, keeping these materials out of landfills. Similar programs exist in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state, and […]

ISTC Technical Assistance Program assists U. of I. campus with waste characterization study

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) Facilities & Services (F&S) Waste Management department recently released the results of a campus building waste characterization and opportunity assessment conducted with assistance from the ISTC Technical Assistance Program (TAP). This project was the latest example of collaboration between the two units on reducing waste and improving […]

Composting pumpkins and other ways to green your Halloween

Did you know that IL leads the nation in the production of pumpkins? You may not realize it, but pumpkins are mostly water! A great deal of labor, land, water, and other resources are invested in growing, harvesting, distributing, and processing pumpkins in our state, so if you care about conserving resources, it’s scary to […]

Better bouquets: Sustainable purchasing and end-of-life management for floral arrangements

As Valentine’s Day approaches, purchases of flowers increase. Whether for a holiday gift, special occasion, or other celebration, most of us will buy bouquets or flower arrangements at some point. But have you considered sustainable options or the best way to manage bouquets after they fade? Note that links to products, programs, or vendors below […]

Celebrate International Day of Zero Waste on March 30 by reducing textile waste

Note that ISTC does not endorse, either explicitly or implicitly, any manufacturer, vendor, product, or service. Mentions of specific products or businesses below are provided for informational reference only. The International Day of Zero Waste, observed on March 30th annually, was established through UN General Assembly Resolution 77/161 and is jointly facilitated by the United […]