Sustainability Efforts

E Waste Bin in parking lotWorking with Summit E-Waste, several park locations feature collection bins for electronic recycling.  Typical items that fit in the bin include: computers, printers, game consoles, stereos, strings of holiday lights, power adapters, cords and wires, batteries, and ink/toner cartridges.  For larger items, please consider waiting until special collection event days or contact Summit E-Waste for other options.  

E-Waste Recycling Bin Locations

2026 Collection Events: 

Stark Parks will host three special drop-off events in 2026 where community members can recycle electronic waste to Summit E-Waste.  Dates and locations include:

  • April 22 – Tam O’Shanter Park, Canton | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • August 15 (E-Waste items only on this date)– Sippo Lake Park North-Exploration Gateway, Perry Township | 9 a.m. – Noon  
  • October 24 – 9700 Cleveland Ave. SE, Magnolia | 9 a.m. – Noon

Compost Bin Collection and Locations

Compost collection bins in partnership with Rubber City Reuse are also available for dropping off food scraps including fruits and vegetables (no stickers), meat, bones, seafood, shellfish and egg shells, bread, pasta, grains, legumes and nuts, dairy products (limit liquids), leftovers and spoiled food, coffee grounds, filters and tea bags (no staples), paper napkins (with no chemicals) and BPI-certified products, including bags, cups, cutlery and packaging.  

Compost Station Bin in Park

Please only drop off non-bagged items unless the bag is BPI-certified. Do not include trash, yard waste, oil or shortening, plastic bags, plastic foam, twist ties or recyclables (plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, metal or cans). 

 

Earth Day Everyday Volunteer and Service Series

Globe with Earth behind Earth Day Everyday textOfficially recognized on April 22, Stark Parks will be hosting Earth Day events in April and throughout the year.  There are not too many things that every person in this world has in common, but one thing is sharing this planet together.

On Earth Day, we look at what we have done in the past and what we hope to do in the future from a personal perspective and a larger community.  We invite you to come together with other individuals, families, and groups and show appreciation for our mother earth by participating in service activities and programs.  Previous Earth Day Everyday efforts have removed illegally dumped tires, removed fast-growing invasive species like garlic mustard, privet, and teasel, rive and creek clean-ups, collection and cleaning of over 16 species of native plants (roughly 20,000 seeds planted in the park), trash and litter removal, habitat restoration, and special E-Waste and Goodwill Donation Drop-off events.  

In 2025, Stark Parks collected 12,850 pounds of electronic waste across multiple park locations and 17,045 pounds of compost at the compost bin near the Wildlife Conservation Center at Sippo Lake Park.

2026 Remaining Schedule

Invasive Privet and Honeysuckle Removal
Sept. 11, 1 to 3 p.m.
Sippo Lake Park-Exploration Gateway
Join us in a restoration project removing invasive privet and honeysuckle from Sippo Lake Park. Volunteers will learn about the two species and why we are removing them. We recommend wearing tall socks, pants, and a long sleeve shirt. Loppers and handsaws will be used to remove the shrubs, so we suggest volunteers be at least 13 years old. Tools and gloves will be provided. Please meet at the lower parking lot at the Exploration Gateway.

Native Seed Collection
Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m.
Fry Family Park
As part of maintaining a thriving backyard habitat, seed collection is a sustainable and rewarding practice that supports native plant restoration, biodiversity, and seasonal planning.  Join us as we collect seeds from native wildflowers.

Native Seed Cleaning
Nov. 5, 1 to 2 p.m.
Sippo Lake Park-Exploration Gateway (indoors)
Stark Parks has been hard at work collecting native seeds, and now we need your help preparing them for planting. Join us as we clean seeds that will be used to restore and enhance native wildlife habitats throughout our parks. No experience is necessary. All materials will be provided.

Volunteer to Help!