About the Program
The West Chicago Environmental Commission organizes the City’s annual Rain Barrel Sale in conjunction with The Conservation Foundation.
Rain barrels are repurposed, industrial-sized food containers that would otherwise be shredded and possibly sent to a landfill. The tops are screened for safety, with a spigot and overflow pre-installed on the barrels. Barrels hold 50-60 gallons and come in multiple colors.
If you’d like to order a rain barrel, please visit the UpCycle Products webpage.
2024 Rain Barrel Program
Orders for the 2024 Rain Barrel Program are being accepted through Friday, May 24, by mail, and online orders will be accepted through Monday, May 27. This program allows residents to purchase rain barrels at a discounted rate. The barrels can be picked up on Saturday, June 1, at the Metra Station Parking Lot from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Home delivery is also available, but may take up to 10 business days for delivery.
Rain Barrel Benefits
A rain barrel is an easy way to collect a consistent supply of clean, fresh water for outdoor use to water plants, to wash your car, or to top a swimming pool.
Rain barrels also help reduce the flow of storm runoff. When it rains, runoff picks up soil, fertilizer, oil, pesticides and other contaminants from hard surfaces and landscapes that flows directly into streams, lakes and other nearby bodies of water. Runoff fertilizers increase algae growth in lakes, and excess soil alters the habitat for fish.