More than recycling

Gary Church's Green Team continuously looks for ways to care for God's creation. In addition to its quarterly Styrofoam recycling events (see below), the team invites you to bring your own reusable dishes and utensils for all your food and fellowship opportunities at church, including when you provide treats.


As the Green Team explores the carbon footprint of Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, Illinois, look to the e-news for new ways in how you can help.


How can you help?

● Keep bringing your reusable drinkware to church for cold and hot beverages and try to use only one paper towel in the church bathroom (or the electric hand dryer).
● Remember to recycle at municipal electronics collections (e.g., 2nd Saturdays in Wheaton) and at SCARCE.
● See below for more opportunities!


Is your church group interested in learning more about how they can support low-waste events or be involved in caring for creation? Contact the Green Team through the Church Office - we’d love to explore this with you.

Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m.-noon, Arlington Heights: First United Methodist Church

Attend this Creation Care Summit with members of Gary's Green Team. For more information and to register, click here.  


Caring for Creation

Sundays, May 3 & 10, 10:10 a.m., Anderson Room

A two-week series on caring for all creation, which God has called “good.” 

 

Stewarding Creation with Native Plants

Sunday, May 3, 10:10 a.m., Anderson Room
Learn how integrating native plants into your garden can help steward God’s creation while creating a natural habitat that benefits creatures great and small — including you! Presentation by Nancy Cinatl from The Conservation Foundation.

 

Talking About Climate Change

Sunday, May 10, 10:10 a.m., Anderson Room
No matter your perspective, discover how to have a respectful, productive dialogue about this important topic. This session will center on a TED Talk by Katherine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, followed by conversation and reflection.


“WALL-E" Movie Event (2008, rated G)

Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m., Chapel
All ages are welcome at this special event. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and/or pillows if you'd like; additional seating will be available. We'll provide the snacks and a few questions to think about as you watch this unique, memorable Pixar film, featuring themes of environmental stewardship and mutual care.

Missions in May

SCARCE Kiosk
Month of May, Gary Commons
Explore the many ways you can answer the Christian call to be a steward of God’s good creation. SCARCE is a local non-profit committed to strengthening the community through environmentally focused initiatives.


Crayon recycling
Bring your old crayons to donate to SCARCE throughout the month of May. No need to sort or peel them; just bring them in and drop them off in the marked bins near the Children's Desk. SCARCE will melt down old crayons and mold them into new, larger shapes for differently abled students!


Common Ground garden
Plant, weed, water and harvest Gary Church’s garden plots at Wheaton Park District’s Atten Park. Produce grown in the Common Ground garden will be delivered to local food pantries. Sign up to help through the Church Office.


Styrofoam recycling

As part of our Christian responsibility to care for God’s creation, Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, IL, has operated a Styrofoam recycling ministry for several years, with the goal to keep this useful but non-degradable material out of our landfills. Increased online purchasing has exacerbated the desire by all to reduce disposal of this material. Our volunteers take the collected items to the Dart Container Corporation 24/7 public recycling center, 310 Evergreen Dr., North Aurora.


2026 Styrofoam recycling dates

The recycling collection Sundays in 2026 are Jan. 11, April 19, July 19 and Oct. 18, 8:45–10:30 a.m., South Driveway. Can you help one time or more for collection or driving duties? If so, please contact Elaine McCluskey through the Church Office.  If you miss the dates, feel free to drop off Styrofoam at Dart Container Corporation, 310 Evergreen Dr., North Aurora.




QUIZ: CAN THESE BE RECYCLED IN YOUR CURBSIDE RECYCLING CAN?

Cardboard egg cartons
Clean aluminum foil
Paper towels
Paperback books
Bags that contained flour or sugar


It’s important to learn more about what can and cannot be recycled, so you don’t contaminate your entire recycling can with one item. Take the quiz above. Answers can be found on your city’s website or on a helpful list of items that should not be placed in curbside bins, which is available from SCARCE.

Remember that #6 plastic (Styrofoam) is one of the things you cannot place in curbside recycling.

~Elaine McCluskey and the Styrofoam Recycling Team


To find out more about recycling in your community, go to your city’s website and search “recycling” or find links to the city and county webpages below.