Committees & Commissions
Leading the Village of Oswego
ECO Commission
Green Business Award
The Environmentally Conscious Oswego Commission, partnered up with the Oswego Economic Development Corporation, and the Oswego Chamber of Commerce to recognize local businesses who have worked hard to incorporate green practices into their everyday business life. It was decided to award the business with a Green Business Award. All businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government bodies were encouraged to apply.
The application focused on seven topics:
- General Practices
- Energy
- Water
- Administration & Finance
- Facility Management & Maintenance
- Transportation
- Community & Awareness Promotion
Once received, the applications were brought before a panel of judges including, Michael Cassa, Oswego Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director; Alison Giangrasse, Planner; George Stenitzer, ECO Commission, Chairman; Ellen Von Ohlen, ECO Commissioner; Rod Zenner, Director of Community Development.
After reviewing the applications, it was clear than many types of businesses work hard to implement green strategies everyday which in turn increases environmental awareness, and business efficiency and quality, while decreases the amount of refuse, energy use, and costs associated with the business. The following businesses have been recognized:
Green Business Award Winners:
  Fruitful Yield: Green Award, Retail
Fruitful Yield, located at 1124 Douglas Road, not only incorporates green practices at the local level, but also at the corporate level. Fruitful Yield donates to four different environmental groups: SCARCE, World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Natural Conservancy of Illinois. At their store in Oswego, Fruitful Yield uses only biodegradable cleaning supplies and corn based plastic bags. They work hard to support local farmers and organic farming. Fruitful Yield strongly opposes the use of chemicals on food crops which can damage not only the food but the soil and water as well. They have two work days a year with the Sustainable Design Challenge which is a group of high school students learning about green building design.
  Oswego Community School District #308: Green Award, Institutional
School District #308 has a total of 1,621 employees,making it our largest applicant. They have been recognized by the American School & University magazine by receiving the Green Cleaning Award for 2008. Much of their efforts began in 2004, when all staff was trained for using Envirox line of Green Seal products. They tested the products forone month against the existing products. Employees were then surveyed on the two products; the green products received a favorable score. As a result all 20 schools switched to the Envirox line in early 2005. The new products have improved air quality within the schools and in turn are better for students with allergies and asthma. Since April of 2004, District #308 has saved approximately $2.5 million on gas and electric bills by using Energy Education procedures and guidelines.
  Schoppe Design Associates:
Green Award, Office
Schoppe Design Associates, is a landscape architecture and land planning firm located at 126 South Main Street. All of their office equipment is Energy Star or Energy Saver. Schoppe Design Associates uses vinegar to clean sinks, toilets and glass. As a landscape architecture firm, Schoppe makes an effort to partner with companies that are also environmentally conscious to create sustainable solutions like the Conservation Foundation. To stay informed and increase environmental efficiency, Staff members are training to become Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED). Schoppe Design Associates also participates in the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Morton Arboretum, the Chicago Center for Green Technology, and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
Green Business Award Finalists and ways in which they are green:
Green View, Green Business Award Finalist, Retail
Precision Packaging Green Business Award Finalist, Industrial
Scott Eye Care Green Business Award Finalist, Health Care
Spotless Car Wash Green Business Award Finalist, Service
The ECO Commission would like to thank all of the businesses that submitted applications. Your efforts are outstanding and do not go unnoticed. Because of the positive response that this award has generated, and the efforts our local business have been making, ECO is making the Green Business Award an annual award. ECO encourages businesses to become even greener, and apply for the Green Business Award 2010 next spring.
  
 Fox River Clean Up
Oswego’s Environmentally Friendly Oswego (ECO) Commission along with Friends of the Fox worked very hard on June 6th to clean our very own Fox River. Together we removed about 50 bags of trash or more than 1,000 pounds from the River and shorelines! Steve Kirchen was the winner of the $25 gift card for removing the most unique item – a battery operated crawling baby Mickey Mouse doll! Please mark your calendars, the next River Clean Up will be August 15th. Contact George Stenitzer 630-215-6751, or email Alison Giangrasse (agiangrasse@oswegoil.org) for more details or to volunteer.
Reuse & Recycle Extravaganza and Earth Day Celebration!!
  
 The Environmentally Conscious Oswego Commission would like to thank everyone who participated in last Saturday’s bi-annual Reuse and Recycle Extravaganza! As always, we are proud to say that the event was a huge success and all because of the generous citizens, enthusiastic volunteers and hardworking vendors. With your help, we collected 60 pairs of glasses, 55 keys, 32 ink cartridges, 20 empty propane tanks, 79 car tires, over 100 pounds of batteries, 337 gallons of used oil, 686 gallons of latex paint, over 13,000 pounds of electronics! Our next Extravaganza will be held in September 2009; we look forward to seeing you there.
E-RECYCLE INFORMATION
Electronics Recycling
2nd & 4th Saturday of each month
Time: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Behind the Public Works Facility (100 Theodore Dr., Oswego)
Click here for a map 
The Electronics Recycling Program, hosted by the ECO Commission, has been a major success ever since it began in August of 2007. With the help of our conscious citizens and Vintage Tech Recyclers, tons of electronics are kept out of the landfills every week.
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING UPDATES
Due to the overwhelming success of the program, ECO will be accepting monetary donations to help alleviate some of the costs associated with recycling the electronics. ECO is truly proud of the E-Recycle program and has enjoyed watching it grow over the years; we are happy to say that we have kept this service free to all citizens (non-residents included), and ask that if you are able, please donate to our electronics recycling fund so that we can keep this program alive and keep your electronics out of the landfills.
Beginning in 2009, ECO began to charge a small fee for the recycling of all TV’s working and not working. There will be $5 charge for all televisions up to 19” and anything measuring 19” or larger will be $10. Cash only.
If you have any questions regarding the ECO Commission or the Electronics Recycling program, please contact Alison Giangrasse, 630.554.3622 or email at agiangrasse@oswegoil.org.
Ways to Make 2009 a Bit Greener:
Don’t forget about the New Year… soon it will be time to make New Year’s Resolutions. This year, make a resolution that will pay off year after year, don’t limit your resolution to 2009 – make resolutions that you will be able to stick with for years to come! The following are some great ideas:
- Make an effort to buy items made from recycled products.
- Use reusable cloth cleaning towels.
- Take advantage of the post Christmas sales and buy two reusable cloth shopping totes. Keep one in your car and one at home, that way you will always be prepared on your last minute errand trips.
- Switch your light bulbs to Compact Florescent Bulbs (CFLs). Find CFLs at local pharmacies and hardware stores. Remember, you can pick up a free CFL lightbulb from ECO when you recycle your electronics on December 13th!
The best part about all of these ideas is that not only are you helping the environment, you are also saving money! Buy Green, Save Green!
For more information on ECO events or electronics recycling contact Village Planner Alison Giangrasse by phone at 630.554.3622 or by email at agiangrasse@oswegoil.org.
Click here to express your environmental concerns, ideas, and suggestions to the ECO Commission
The function of the Environmentally Conscious Oswego (ECO) Commission is to protect and improve today’s environment for the future by providing education to the Community on environmental issues, by educating and involving Oswego’s leadership on environmental issues and opportunities, by increasing conservation practices through hands-on activities, and by reviewing Village environmental ordinances and contracts in order to suggest areas of improvement.
Village of Oswego Recycling Program
What is ECO?
Newsletters
Recycling Links and Info
Education
Ordinances
Planning & Design
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