Sustainability Engagement Opportunities for Earth Day
In the 48th ward, we believe that everyone should live in a sustainable and healthy environment with access to green spaces and outdoor recreation. We're committed to working towards these goals on Earth Day and every other day of the year.
Celebrate the Earth with us all month! Throughout April, we'll be sharing Earth Day events, resources, and local highlights on our newsletter, social media accounts, and blog! Attend an Earth Day event, volunteer for a park cleanup, visit the Edgewater food scrap drop-off site; there's plenty of ways to get involved.
See our full list of Communtity Events & Resources, Updates from the Edgewater Environmental Coalition, and other Earth Day Opportunities below:
Community Events and Resources
48th Ward Electronics & Meds Recycling Event
When: Saturday, April 13 from 10am-1pm
Where: DSS Ward Yard (5853 N Broadway)
Contact info@the48thward.org for more information
Come by the Ward Yard on Saturday, April 13 to drop off small appliances, electronics, large TVs (limit one per family), and prescription drugs. Note that liquid meds and needles will not be accepted.
2024 Uptown Earth Day Celebration
When: Saturday, April 20 from 12-3pm
Where: Buttercup Park (4901 N Sheridan)
Learn more here.
Join the Institute of Cultural Affairs for an Earth Day celebration at Buttercup Park. Visit educational tables, participate in workshops and hands-on activities, listen to music, eat good food, and learn about plastic waste reduction.
Community Clean Up Walk/Run
When: Monday, April 22 at 4:30pm
Where: 1016 W Argyle
Contact contact@chi-awe.org.
Join young people in the community for a clean up walk and run on Earth Day (April 22) ! Gloves and trash bags will be distrbuted at the meet-up location, and the event will end back at 1016 W Argyle for a group photo and light snacks. Thanks to Miss Asian Chicago, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, and Family Style Run Club for making this possible.
Earth Day Parks Cleanup
When: Saturday, April 20 from 9am-12pm
Where: Multiple park sites in the ward!
Find a site and register online.
Join thousands of volunteers in parks across Chicago in picking up litter and putting down mulch to give our precious green spaces a fresh start for the season. Participating sites include Park 559 and Margate Park in the 48th ward!
Edgewater Composting
The City of Chicago Food Scrap Drop-Off Program has added a new site in the 48th ward. Scan the QR code or sign up here to compost at any of the drop-off sites for free. Read more on the 48th ward blog.
From the Edgewater Environmental Coalition
The Edgewater Environmental Coalition provides an example of what it looks like to celebrate Earth Day all year! Take a look at some of their ongoing initiatives that are open to any and all community members:
Beach Stewardship Days
When: Last Sunday of the Month from 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: Kathy Osterman Beach (5800 N Jean-Baptiste Pointe DSLD)
Learn more here. No RSVP needed
Join EEC to restore and maintain natural dune and open sand habitats. There are accessible places off paved pathways to sit; and water, bike racks, and restrooms right by the meeting place. The activities take place in mostly flat and sandy areas that may be difficult to traverse for people with mobility challenges.
Parkways for Pollinators
The Parkways for Pollinators program seeks to transform public spaces into pollinator forage and habitat, working to remediate the soil and capture carbon. With seeds sourced from the community and the Field Museum, growing resources provided by Loyola's Urban Agriculture Program, and distribution through the Edgewater Environmental Coalition, they offer native plant seedlings for registered Parkways for Pollinators sites.
Learn more here about how to get involved with the Parkways for Pollinators program from planting, to seed sorting, to sharing photos!
Vedgewater Community Garden Workdays
When: Ongoing
Where: Vedgewater Community Garden (6300 N Broadway)
Register online.
EEC is part of a team of volunteer Garden Leaders running the Vedgewater Community Garden on land donated by Loyola. Anyone is welcome to garden and harvest from these plots after going through the garden’s orientation. Participate in an upcoming Vedgewater Volunteer Day and make a positive impact in our community! Learn more about the garden and how to prepare for a workday here.
More Earth Day Fun!
Earth-A-Palooza with the District 13 Cook County Commissioner
When: Sunday, April 14 from 10am-12pm
Where: Linne Woods, Morton Grove
Register for this FREE event here.
Join us and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita for Earth-a-palooza, an eco-friendly family fun fest that provides a wide array of activities including Guided Nature Walks, Junior Rangers Program, Brookfield Zoo Animals, Bird Watching, Touch-a-Truck, kids crafts and more!
City of Chicago Annual Clean & Green Day of Service
When: Saturday, April 20
Where: Citywide
Contact 311 to register
On the city's annual Clean & Green Day of Service, residents, school groups and community organizations throughout the city team up to clean and beautify areas in their neighborhood. Simply call 311 to register your group and the Department of Streets and Sanitation will lend the brooms, rakes, shovels, and bags for the clean-up projects. The deadline to register is Monday, April 15.
City-Wide Electronics Recycling Program
As we work to bring more electronics/hazardous materials recycling events to our community, please be aware of the standing dates and locations for ewaste disposal. Near the 48th ward, there are drop-off locations at 4808 W Wilson and 6441 N Ravenswood. Please review the drop-off times in the graphic above or visit this link.
Note that materials should not be left outside the drop-off locations outside of drop-off hours. Learn more about disposing of electronics and other hazards such as household chemicals and prescription drugs at the CDPH website.
