About KEB

Keep Evanston Beautiful engages individuals to greater responsibility for improving Evanston by:

• Supporting and contributing to environmental education.
• Encouraging preservation of our natural resources by promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling and purchase of recycled products.
• Improving neighborhoods through beautification and clean-up programs.
• Showcasing the best of Evanston through our annual Garden Walk.

History

In 1985, the City of Evanston's Environment Board began examining ways to implement recycling, reduce litter, control solid waste, eliminate graffiti, and tackle other related problems. After looking at various options, it was determined that communities with a membership in the nationwide Keep America Beautiful system showed 60-80% declines in litter and were also leaders in waste reduction. Keep Evanston Beautiful, Inc., was certified by Keep America Beautiful and chartered by the City of Evanston in 1986 as a not for profit, volunteer, non-partisan group of citizens representing government, business and the community. The group was also interested in reducing government costs related to litter pick up and solid waste removal.

With the support of KEB, curbside recycling was adopted in 1989 as a citywide service. In 1992, the City of Evanston built a recycling processing center to generate revenue, keep jobs in the community and provide a job-training program. Curbside recycling was privatized in 1999, which eliminated the need for the processing facility.

Keep Evanston Beautiful continues to introduce programs to promote environmental awareness.

1987-Trashbusters' Day
1987-CanMan mascot introduced
1989- Earth Day Contest
1989-KEB Garden Walk
1990s-Household Battery Recycling funded by KEB
1999- Directory of Recycling Options (six editions)
1999-Directory of Recycling Options
2001-School Garden Initiative
2003-Lucansky Environmental Stewardship Award
2010-Partner to SAGE - Schools Actively Gardening in Evanston

Funding

Keep Evanston Beautiful is a 501 c 3 not-for-profit organization. We receive in-kind contributions from the City of Evanston. KEB also has an annual membership drive to raise money for programming. Our Annual Garden Walk is a significant source of income.

Funding to maintain website and other programs is provided by Illinois EPA.

We continue to seek for other income sources as we develop and initiate programs. North End Mothers Club and Lincolnwood Garden Club of Evanston have provided funding.

Board of Directors & Committees

2011-2012