JOLIET – The Will County Resource Recovery and Energy Division will host its annual book recycling and document destruction event June 8-10.

      Books will be collected and distributed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 8, through Sunday, June 10, at Joliet Park District’s Pilcher Park Nature Center, 2501 Highland Park Drive. Clean-up will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 10.  The Park District is also an event sponsor.

     Schools, libraries, and individuals can bring unwanted books for reuse and recycling.  All types of hardcover and paperback books will be accepted and shared for free to anyone in attendance.  Categories include fiction, non-fiction, children’s, romance, hobby, travel, health and living, religion, textbooks, periodicals, magazines and cookbooks. 

    “Last year was very busy,” said Tim Anderson, Senior Waste Analyst with the Resource Recovery and Energy Division, “but we are hoping to make this year’s event more successful.

    “Last year several schools and libraries participated in the book collection event, and some schools saved money by swapping whole book collections with other schools.”

     Will County Executive Larry Walsh encourages people to participate in the three-day event.

     “Each year, thousands of books end up in new homes or schools instead of sitting unused because of this event. This is a good time for people to clear out old books they no longer want or need,” said Walsh. “Residents will end up with space on their shelves, and others will end up with something new to read. It’s a win-win.”

      “Our goal is to promote literacy and improve the environment through recycling,” said Anderson. Books that are not taken will be recycled.

    “Participants do not have to be Will County residents,” said Anderson. “So come on out and get a book or two or three or even more!”

     In addition, for the fourth consecutive year, residents may drop off confidential documents in a secure container that will be taken to Document Destruction Co. in Chicago, where the papers will be shredded and recycled. An affidavit of destruction is available upon request.

     For more information, contact Anderson at (815) 727-8834 or go to www.willcountygreen.com.

     The Resource Recovery and Energy Division is part of the Will County Land Use Department, which is under the County Executive’s office and led by Curt Paddock.