Waukegan event collects items for recycling, proper disposal: ‘A great opportunity to help the environment’

Sitting atop a table next to 64-cubic-foot bins containing scores of recyclable materials was a large stuffed monkey. While dozens of shoes and other clothing items on the table or inside the bin will likely be recycled, the monkey may survive.

Maria Contreras, the Waukegan Park District’s communications supervisor, said the monkey, shoes, bicycles, electronics, books and much more were among the items community members brought to a recycling event over the weekend.

Rafael Ayala, the manager of park maintenance, said textiles like clothing, shoes and the monkey go to Keeping People Covered — a Waukegan not-for-profit organization that provides free personal items. Oscar Zavala, a Park District employee, hopes the monkey gets a home.

“It will make somebody very happy,” he said. “A boy or girl will be very excited to get it. A toy like this will make their day.”

Hundreds of unwanted items, potentially bound for a landfill, were taken to a recycling event on Saturday in Waukegan, sponsored by the Park District, the city of Waukegan, and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), in an effort to recycle the items and help the environment.

To take the items to SWALCO and other recycling partners, Contrares said a dump truck was filled with electronics, including televisions, printers as well as various other office supplies and equipment. There were enough books to fill one of the large boxes.

“The books will go through a review process to see if they (are family-friendly enough) go to the Park District’s Little Libraries,”  Contrares said. “If not, we’ll find someplace else.”

Heading to Keeping People Covered are two 64-cubic-foot boxes of textiles including clothes, one pair of shoes and the monkey. Contrares said 50 pairs of glasses were delivered. They will be sent to the Little Fort Lions Club where they will go to people who need them.

Bicycles were another item that people brought. Contrares said there were eight bikes and an exercycle. If they are in a condition to be donated, they will go to a new owner; Otherwise, they will be properly recycled with parts going to the right place.

Though the recycling event was an opportunity for people to dispose of unwanted items, Anna Lopez said it was more than that. She donated several boxes that are not easy to recycle. She is not comfortable with disposing of the goods.

“I brought books and some holiday lights,” Lopez said. “I know they will be recycled the correct way. This will help the environment. There’s too much in the landfills.”

For Brenda Ontiveros, the event was also a way to dispose of Christmas lights, spent batteries and other things that needed specialized recycling. She too called it, “a great opportunity to help the environment.”

Jonathon Taub, the Park District’s manager of planning services, said the recycling event is in its 15th year. The first was held in 2010. It is an opportunity to help educate people about the benefits of recycling and help them dispose of items that the city’s weekly waste removal does not take.

Over the years, Taub said some unusual items arrive, such as musical instruments. The Park District needs them. They go to the Jack Benny Center for the Performing Arts, where they will be used by people appearing in performances who do not have their own.