For over 30 years, the Resource Center, a non-profit environmental education organization, has led the way in demonstrating innovative techniques for recycling and reusing materials. Too often in the urban setting, abundant and important resources are wasted. Our recovery work aims to reverse waste and to improve the quality of life for urban dwellers. We have been devoted from the beginning to the economic and educational revitalization of city neighborhoods through recycling, urban gardening and other programs that reclaim and reuse resources.

Resource Center assists community organizations and schools in recovering vacant lots for community use. Residents have created flower and vegetable gardens, recreational open space for community festivals, children's gardens and nature walks on land that was previously a neighborhood eyesore.

The Resource Center operates a full scale composting facility at 1325 E. 70th Street, our main recycling yard. We receive grass clippings, leaves, sod and yard trimmings from landscaping companies, horse manure from the Chicago Mounted Police stables, and food from grocery stores and University of Chicago cafeterias. The result of this mix is a rich organic material perfect for improving one's garden soil. We also provide a compost/soil mixture for gardeners who are creating raised beds or need more topsoil.

The Resource Center's Perishable Food Recovery Program seeks to reduce the amount of edible food that is wasted in the Chicago area by directing it to local food programs. With the cooperation of grocery stores and restaurants, we collect food that they no longer wish to sell for various reasons; a recent expiration date, surplus stock, or damaged produce. Typical donations include slightly dented canned goods, lightly bruised fruit, and day old bread. We pick up donations from stores and deliver the food to homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the same neighborhood. These recipients typically lack fresh produce although they have an ample supply of canned goods. The contribution of fresh food is always welcome addition to their kitchens.