single-use plastic Archives - Illinois Environmental Council

New Recycling and Composting Law Coming to Illinois with Gov. Pritzker’s Signature

August 15, 2024

Springfield, IL. – Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation to reduce plastic pollution in Illinois today. The Large Event Facilities Act (SB2876) requires large event facilities with legal occupancies of at least 3,500 people to provide attendees with recycling and composting bins, reducing single-use plastic and food scrap waste. “IEC is grateful to Gov. Pritzker, Sen. […]

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Illinois First Great Lakes State to Reduce Single-use Plastic Bottles in Hotels

August 12, 2024

Chicago, IL – On Friday, Governor Pritzker signed the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act (SB2960) into law, which requires hotels with 50 or more rooms to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan. 1, 2026, all hotels are

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Plastic Pollution in Chicago

May 14, 2024

Over the past few years, Illinois has seen plastic waste reduction legislative victories in Springfield. Advocates in its largest city, Chicago, seek to implement similar legislation to protect Lake Michigan and other water resources from dangerous microplastic pollution.

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2024 Zero Waste Lobby Day

February 8, 2024

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Environmental Advocates Applaud Illinois General Assembly’s Efforts to Reduce Plastic Pollution

June 5, 2023

As global plastic treaty negotiations conclude, stakeholders from the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Ocean Conservancy, and Illinois Environmental Council celebrate local action on plastic pollution in Illinois, look to continue momentum.

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Greenwashing: Avoid falling victim to misleading marketing claims of eco-friendliness

May 24, 2023

IL Environmental Council has tips on how to spot greenwashing More and more people want to be good stewards of the earth by being green and more sustainable. But despite their best efforts to research and stay informed, it’s easy to fall victim to something called greenwashing. “It’s essentially a marketing ploy by corporations and

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Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill to Reduce Plastic Waste and Expand Access to Clean Drinking Water

May 12, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation this week to reduce plastic pollution and promote access to clean drinking water. Once signed by Governor Pritzker, SB1715 will require that, in settings where the plumbing code already calls for drinking fountains, the installation of new drinking fountains must include a water bottle filling station.

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Breaking Free from Foam: How Illinois and Chicago Can Reduce Plastic Waste

March 29, 2023

Illinois needs to break up with plastic. For decades, we’ve known that single-use plastic items, including polystyrene foam cups, plates, and containers are among the most common and harmful forms of pollution found in the environment. So, what are Illinois’ plans to eliminate outdated foam foodware?

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Ban on Plastic Foam To-Go Containers and Utensils Passes Illinois House

March 22, 2023

More than 20 million pounds of plastic debris enter the Great Lakes every year, half of which winds up in Lake Michigan. To cut off at least a portion of that flow at its source, legislators in Illinois are moving toward a ban on plastic foam cups, containers and utensils. On Tuesday, the Illinois House of Representatives

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Water and Waste Town Hall

November 3, 2022

Tuesday, November 22 | 6-7:30 pm | Register via Zoom using the form below IEC is hosting a series of three town halls for our supporters. At the Clean Water and Waste Town Hall, participants will hear from IEC and our partners on the most pressing issues facing Illinois and our current advocacy plans. We’re

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Single-use plastic banned from Illinois state parks

June 16, 2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker quietly signed a bill last week banning single-use plastic in hundreds of state parks and natural areas. Most single-use plastic is neither biodegradable nor recyclable. When offered in state parks, it often creates piles of trash in places that are supposed to be protected. Starting in 2023, the state has to offer either compostable or

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Advocates Introduce Chicago City Ordinance to Combat Plastic Pollution

January 15, 2020

Aldermen, environmental groups, and consumer advocates bring the fight for plastic-free water to the Chicago City Council CHICAGO –Today, Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) announced the introduction of comprehensive legislation tackling the pervasive problem of plastic pollution in Chicago waterways and the Great Lakes. Alderman Waguespack was joined by organizations in support of the ordinance

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single-use plastic