What We're Up To

THE SOLID WASTE AGENCY OF NORTHERN COOK COUNTY'S NEXT PAPER / DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT IN WINNETKA will be held at the Public Works Yards, 1390 Willow Road, on Sat, Aug 16 from 9 am - 12 pm for residentially-generated paper, such as medical forms, bank statements, personal files, retired tax forms, etc. Paper clips and staples do not need to be removed, but please remove binder clips and any plastic covers. 

There is no cost to participate, but residents must live in one of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County’s (SWANCC's) 23 member communities and IDs will be checked for proof of residency. Residents will be limited to six file-size boxes or paper shopping bags per vehicle. Do not put documents in plastic bags. 

Forget the old garden calendar and get ready to see autumn in a whole new light! Instead of stashing your garden tools until spring, this fall offers a golden opportunity to invigorate your landscape and give your garden a head start.

So keep those trowels handy and join us for the Go Green Winnetka Fall Native Plant Sale! This year, we’re thrilled to offer many varieties of native plants that bring unparalleled beauty and ecological benefits to your garden. Native plants aren’t just resilient; they’re the true champions of local ecosystems. Think vibrant purple coneflowers that color your garden through summer and essential milkweed that supports the Monarch butterfly. These plants attract pollinators, enhance stormwater management, and thrive with minimal fuss in our Midwest climate.

See our Fall Native Plant Sale page for a complete plant list and more information..

JOIN GO GREEN READS FOR A SPECIAL IN-PERSON GATHERING with Tamara Dean, author of Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless, which tells the soul-stirring and practical account of living mindfully with nature during times of uncertainty. Dean's quest to live lightly on the planet drew her to a landscape unlike any other: the Driftless area of Wisconsin, where she confronted, in ways large and small, the challenges of meeting basic needs while facing the ravages of climate change.

Untouched during the last ice age, the Driftless area lacks the characteristic glacial deposits known as drift; its steep hills, forested ridges, deeply carved river valleys, and cold-water trout streams are more closely related to those of the Great Lakes region than those of the broader Midwest and central Plains regions. Dean will share her boundless curiosity, gift for storytelling, and sense of adventure in conversation with The Book Stall's beloved bookseller and book group leader Jon Grand.

Go Green Reads is offered through a collaboration between Go Green Winnetka and Go Green Wilmette in partnership with The Book Stall and the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District.

Registration is not required for this event, which will be in person and at an earlier starting time than usual. Email gogreenreads@gmail.com with questions.

Thank you to The Book Stall and the Winnetka - Northfield Public Library District for their generous support of our communities and these discussions!

WE INVITE ALL INTERESTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS to our monthly Go Green Winnetka meeting, where we’ll come together to chat about current initiatives, upcoming sustainability efforts, and ways we can make a difference.
This month’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17 from 12 – 1 pm on Zoom.

Come discover what’s on the horizon for Go Green Winnetka, share your ideas, learn about volunteer opportunities, and connect with fellow environmentally-minded neighbors.

We’d love to see you there! Please email Go Green Winnetka with questions and to RSVP. We'll send you the link.

Have you ever been curious about the trees in your yard or along your daily route? While we may know that trees absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and offer welcome shade during the summer, many of us are less familiar with the specific species we see every day—and the important ecological roles they play.

Different types of trees provide critical support for local wildlife and contribute uniquely to the health of our environment.

To help residents connect with and learn more about the trees in their neighborhoods, the Openlands Treekeepers Program is offering personalized tree walks from May through September.

If you and your neighbors are interested in organizing a walk, please contact Openlands Treekeeper Lynn Wolff-Zaransky for more information.

Did you know that it is illegal in Illinois to throw certain electronic devices into the trash?  Electronics contain hazardous materials that should be kept out of the environment, as well as valuable and precious metals that can be reused, such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, aluminum, platinum, cobalt, nickel, etc.

The Electronics Recycling Program in Winnetka operates on Thursdays from 1 – 3 pm at the Public Works Yards at 1390 Willow Road until November 20. Learn more about accepted items here.