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Hinsdale moving to a more green downtown
Samples of artificial wreaths and garlands were shown to Hinsdale's Environment and Public Services Committee. The village is considering switching from natural evergreens for its holiday decorations. | Kimberly Fornek—Sun-Times Media
Updated: April 29, 2013 2:12AM
HINSDALE — Hinsdale will reduce the number of trash containers for recyclables in its downtown.
“We have been using them on a trial basis,” said George Franco, director of public services. “We want to see if it is effective and if people start using them.”
The recycling containers that were filled the most and will remain are at the middle of the Brush Hill train station platform; outside Corner Bakery, on the southwest corner of Hinsdale Avenue and Garfield Street; and outside the Starbucks shop, on the southeast corner of Hinsdale and Washington Street.
The recycling receptacles are for paper, glass, cans, and plastic bottles and cups, but not dog waste, Franco stressed. The containers, painted dark green and marked for recyclables, are themselves recycled trash containers.
Village officials also discussed using artificial greenery to decorate downtown streets and lamp poles during the holidays.
The Public Works Department has been decorating with natural evergreen garlands and wreaths.
“What we are doing now just doesn’t last,” Franco said, while acknowledging the warm, dry winter is a factor.
“We try to get the decorations up the week before Thanksgiving,” Franco said. “We have tried different companies for the greens, and the last few years it just doesn’t last.”
Village workers even dye the natural greens sometimes with a solution to make them greener and last longer.
“The greenery doesn’t make it until Dec. 15 without turning brown,” Village Manager David Cook said, and noted the director of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce agrees.
The village staff brought samples of artificial greens to show the Environment and Public Services Committee. The members’ reactions were mixed.
“I think this stuff is ugly,” said Village Trustee Laura LaPlaca. “The wreaths are OK, but there is nothing in nature that looks like the garland.”
Others were less critical.
“It’s difficult to tell it’s artificial unless you get close, especially when it’s covered with snow and ice,” Trustee Robert Saigh said.
Instead of switching to artificial evergreens, Franco proposed skipping the natural garlands and putting just evergreen wreaths on the light poles and more holiday lights on tree trunks.
