Homer Glen Holds Plastic Free July Contest

HOMER GLEN, IL — The village of Homer Glen is holding a Plastic Free July contest to raise awareness of the growing plastic waste problem. According to a release from the village, residents can email mediarelations@homerglenil.org and say what you are doing to reduce plastic waste and your idea on solutions to the problem.

You can submit your idea by July 31. The village said winners will be selected by the Homer Glen Environment Committee based on innovation and effectiveness.

According to a release from the village, The United States' plastic recycling rate is 8 percent.

"Many Americans tend to be 'aspirational' about their recycling. They toss items into the recycling bin hoping they will be recycled, because it makes them feel less guilty about throwing it away," a release from the village says. "The long list of items that aren’t recyclable keep showing up at the local recycling plant, including: soy-sauce packets, greasy pizza boxes, candy-bar wrappers, dry-cleaner bags, plastic wrap, the lids of to-go coffee cups and plastic take-out containers."