421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD  
WHEATON, IL 60187  
DU PAGE COUNTY  
Environmental Committee  
Final Summary  
www.dupagecounty.gov  
Tuesday, May 6, 2025  
8:30 AM  
Room 3500A  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
8:30 A.M. meeting was called to order by Chair Sheila Rutledge at 8:30 A.M.  
2.  
ROLL CALL  
Other Members Present: Paula Deacon Garcia, Yeena Yoo  
Cronin Cahill, Evans, Haider, Honig, LaPlante, and Rutledge  
PRESENT  
3.  
CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR RUTLEDGE  
3.A. 2025 Sign Event Recap  
The 2025 campaign sign recycle event was highly successful, with an overwhelming number of  
signs collected, especially from the municipal elections -so much that the dumpster overflowed.  
This effort helped keep a significant amount of plastic out of landfills.  
3.B. International Compost Awareness Week  
This week is International Compost Awareness Week, the largest educational initiative in the  
compost and waste industries. This year's theme, "Sustainable Communities Begin with  
Compost," emphasizes the impact of composting at all levels-from backyard to community  
efforts that help contribute to healthier soils. Sheila mentioned an article in the “Chicago  
Tribune” about a large-scale composting company, Green Era that accepts even packaged goods  
for composting.  
Joy responded that Green Era’s customer base is mostly commercial and not as much residential.  
She also stated that Choose DuPage had a webinar with Green Era and offered to send the  
webinar recording out to whomever is interested.  
4.  
PUBLIC COMMENT  
Kay McKeen, founder and Executive Director of SCARCE - This week is International Compost  
Awareness Week, and two composting workshops are scheduled for Thursday. The Glen Ellyn  
Food Pantry is partnering with the People's Resource Center to initiate food scrap composting.  
Recently, a group of students successfully lobbied their school board to eliminate toxic black  
plastic from their district's lunch packaging. April saw eight recycling events, including a large  
event in Wheaton where one woman dropped off 500 campaign signs. At the Garden Market  
event, attendance was the highest yet. During a Wheaton event, 30,000 pounds of food were  
collected, filling three trucks, and there was a record collection of syringes, EpiPens, and  
medicine. May brings more composting workshops and garden markets, with many items  
preordered. Appreciation was shared for everyone's efforts in environmental care, along with  
thanks for community support in projects like composting and recycling.  
5.  
6.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
5.A.  
25-1122  
Environmental Committee Minutes - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, April 1, 2025  
APPROVED  
RESULT:  
PRESENTATIONS  
6.A. Showcasing the Illinois Green Business Assessment & Planning Tool - Sustainable  
DuPage  
Cassie Carroll - Marketing & Communications Director, SEDAC  
Cassandra’s slideshow explained how SEDAC (Smart Energy Design Assistance Center), which  
is based out of the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, focuses on empowering  
organizations with practical solutions for climate, energy, and sustainability. One of its major  
initiatives is the Illinois Green Business Program, established in 2008 to help businesses go  
green, reduce costs, and support community sustainability.  
Since 2023, SEDAC has partnered with Sustainable DuPage and Choose DuPage, working with  
20 facilities to implement cost-saving and environmentally friendly measures, achieving  
significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. SEDAC also connects businesses with  
utility incentives and funding opportunities to support these changes.  
To aid businesses in sustainability efforts, SEDAC developed a Green Business Assessment and  
Planning Tool. This tool helps businesses-whether new to sustainability or experienced-identify  
inefficiencies, create sustainability plans, track progress, and engage employees in sustainable  
practices. It also guides proactive maintenance and connects businesses to funding for  
sustainable upgrades.  
The tool is structured around four steps:  
1. Launch a Green Team and develop a mission.  
2. Conduct a facility assessment to identify areas for improvement.  
3. Identify areas for improvement and prioritize sustainability practices.  
4. Develop a sustainability plan by identifying key steps, timelines, funding and  
communication with staff  
SEDAC is committed to supporting businesses in using this tool to foster long-term  
sustainability and efficiency across Illinois.  
Robert Schlorff, Energy Engineer at SEDAC presented a detailed, live demonstration of the  
Green Business Assessment and Planning Tool. He explained how the SEDAC Green Business  
Assessment and Planning Tool is a structured, spreadsheet-based system designed to help  
businesses assess sustainability opportunities, identify waste, prioritize improvements, and create  
actionable sustainability plans. It is part of SEDAC's mission to empower organizations with  
climate, energy, and sustainability solutions.  
Tool Overview:  
1. How to use:  
o
The first tab provides information on usage, version details, contact information,  
and basic guidelines for input.  
2. Step 1 - Launch a Green Team:  
o
o
o
Businesses list the departments and individuals involved in sustainability efforts.  
Mission, vision, goals, and support structures are outlined.  
Initial ideas, success measurements, alignment with company values, and  
budgeting considerations are captured.  
3. Step 2 - Conduct a Facility Assessment:  
o
The tool is divided within four groups in five key areas  
o
Office Space, Restrooms and Kitchens, Production spaces, Loading Docks  
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Lighting  
Envelope  
Waste  
Equipment  
HVAC  
o
o
For each area, businesses evaluate sustainability aspects (e.g., LED lighting, water  
usage, equipment conditions).  
Responses are color-coded for clarity (e.g., green for good, yellow for moderate,  
red for issues).  
4. Step 3 - Identify Areas for Improvement:  
o
Information from facility assessments is compiled to identify and prioritize action  
areas.  
o
Green Teams can select which opportunities to pursue based on assessment  
results.  
5. Step 4 - Sustainability Plan:  
o
Goals and priority strategies are developed based on assessment findings.  
o
Implementation steps, success measurements, timelines, responsible departments,  
and resource needs are outlined.  
o
Up to four main goals can be structured, with strategies for execution and  
milestones for tracking.  
6. Utility Data Tracking:  
o
Tabs for Electricity and Gas Data allow businesses to input usage and analyze  
consumption patterns.  
o
A benchmarking tab visualizes energy use, cost intensity, and carbon impact over  
time.  
7. Equipment Tracking:  
Includes templates for HVAC and other production equipment, helping businesses  
monitor condition and efficiency.  
8. Illinois Green Business Checklist:  
A final tab with color-coded responses helps companies quickly assess alignment  
with Illinois Green Business standards.  
o
o
Support and Guidance:  
·
The tool is accompanied by a written step-by-step guide to simplify its use.  
·
SEDAC offers support to help businesses implement the tool and develop their  
sustainability plans.  
The tool is designed to make sustainability planning practical and straightforward, empowering  
companies to identify inefficiencies, prioritize changes, and implement long-term solutions.  
Vice chair Saba Haider responded with how great the presentation was and if there are any  
limitations on the size of business (square footage, number of employees, etc.) and usefulness of  
the tool. Cassandra stated that there is no limit - organizations of all sizes can utilize the tool.  
Member Cahill inquired about a fee for downloading the tool. There is no fee. All that is needed  
is to fill out a contact form on the Choose DuPage website.  
In closing, Cassandra mentioned The DuPage County Sustainable Business Collaborative is  
coming soon. It is a networking platform for municipal staff and committee members to share  
ideas, successes, and strategies for engaging local businesses in sustainability. Open to all  
municipal representatives, the collaborative meets quarterly to explore ways communities can  
support business sustainability, connect with local programs, and align business efforts with  
community sustainability goals.  
7.  
STAFF REPORTS  
7.A.  
25-1158  
2025 Propane Tank Recycling Partnership  
Joy Hinz announced that DuPage County is continuing its partnership with the Forest  
Preserve District to collect 1-pound propane tanks at Blackwell Family Campground  
through October. Last year's program cost the county less than $300, and this year's costs  
are expected to be under $500.  
7.B.  
25-1157  
Food Waste Prevention Week Recap  
She also highlighted Food Waste Prevention Week, praising Myles Barnes for his  
effective social media efforts, which have noticeably increased traffic and awareness.  
8.  
OLD BUSINESS  
No old business was discussed.  
9.  
NEW BUSINESS  
No new business was discussed.  
10.  
ADJOURNMENT  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:59 A.M.