Illinois State Fair officials say they're ramping up recycling at this year's event as part of an effort to have the most eco-friendly fair in the country.

Reports indicate, the fair last year recycled more than 25,000 pounds of aluminum, cardboard and plastic. This year it added paper to the recycling effort.

Fair manager Amy Bliefnick says the efforts began about four years ago with the goal of become the nation's most sustainable fair.

The fair partners with Illinois Correctional Industries, and inmates work in the program.

This year, the program placed 200 trash and recycling containers around the fairground, more than doubling last year's number. The corrections program sells the materials.

Officials say manure from the fairgrounds also is used to fertilize gardens.