Will County, IL – Forest Preserve offers bike recycling program

Will County, IL – The Forest Preserve District of Will County is encouraging residents to clear out their garages by participating in the upcoming "Recycle Your Bicycle" program. The collection drive is scheduled to take place from Saturday, September 12, through Sunday, September 27, 2026, at various forest preserve locations throughout the county.

According to Cindy Wojdyla Cain, the public information officer for the Forest Preserve, the initiative has expanded significantly since its inception in 2011. Initially serving only the Monee Reservoir, the program now encompasses five designated drop-off sites, including Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, McKinley Woods - Kerry Sheridan Grove in Channahon, the Monee Reservoir, and Sugar Creek Preserve.

All collected bicycles are donated to Working Bikes, a Chicago-based organization that has been refurbishing and redistributing equipment to those in need locally and internationally since 1999. Officials state that all bikes, regardless of age or condition, are accepted, and spare parts are also welcomed. Over 3,000 bicycles have been salvaged through this effort to date.

Residents can drop off their donations during daylight hours, generally between dawn and sunset at most locations. The initiative aims to promote sustainable transportation while ensuring that discarded equipment does not end up in landfills. More information regarding the organization’s global reach can be found at https://www.workingbikes.org.

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