The Impact of Dyeing the River Green

Environmental groups don't dispute the safety of the vegetable dye used in turning the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day, but Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River, does wonder about the message the annual tradition sends about the river's status.

“I think [it] sends a message to people that the river is not alive,” she said. “Can you imagine there’s actually beavers living there? Because there are. You would never do that to a beaver. … Dyeing the river green does not respect that resource.”

Read more about dyeing the river green here.