Governor Quinn Announces Construction of Naperville Environmental Collection Center

NAPERVILLE – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $900,000 state investment to help the city of Naperville build a new environmental collection center where area residents can recycle everything from paper and plastic to fire extinguishers and prescription medications. The $1.18 million project will create construction jobs and encourage a more sustainable use of natural resources. Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

“This environmental collection operation will help protect the environment while creating jobs,” Governor Quinn said. “This forward-thinking facility will be a one-stop recycling center for Naperville area residents.”

The environmental collection center will serve residents and businesses of Naperville and the surrounding communities. It will accept traditional recyclable items such as paper, plastic, glass and cardboard, as well as non-traditional items including batteries, propane tanks, oil, paint, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, CFL bulbs, traditional fluorescent bulbs and prescription medications. Last year, more than 15 tons of traditional recyclable items and 51,595 gallons and 260 tons of non-traditional items were brought to the city’s existing drop-off facilities.

Naperville invested more than $430,000 at two separate locations last year to improve its recycling program. However, the demand has exceeded the city’s capacity, so the new, larger facility will combine all Naperville recycling operations. The city is investing $285,000 in the new center to go along with the $900,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Construction will begin before the end of 2013.

“As one of the leading communities in Illinois, Naperville is at the leading edge of environmental sustainability,” Mayor A. George Pradel said. “The city thanks Governor Quinn for his support and assistance in securing funding for this new recycling facility. This new center will make it easier for our residents as well as our regional neighbors to continue their commitment to going green and increase our recycling rate by 30 percent.”