Recent News

• Earth Hour March 30: 60 Minutes to Protect the Planet March 20, 2019
  Cook County will turn off its non-essential lights March 30 to commemorate Earth Hour and call attention to climate change. The Cook County Department of Facilities Management will save energy – and send a message about the role all of us can play in cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions – by turning […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Upcoming Electronics Recycling Events for Cook County Residents March 19, 2019
  In Spring 2019, three municipalities will be hosting one-day electronics collection events for Cook County residents (see below for more information). Please note there is a limit of 7 items per household and no electronics can be accepted from municipalities, schools, businesses, or institutions. The following devices are accepted: • Cable Receivers
  Sarah Edwards
• Tips on Saving Energy This Spring Season March 5, 2019
  “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”- Hal Borland Spring is almost here and it’s the perfect time think about ways you save energy and money in your home as we finally say goodbye to the cold winter temperatures and transition to warmer weather, welcoming spring with open arms. Landscaping […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Smart Savings for Berkeley Seniors January 28, 2019
                      Want to save money on your utility bills? Are you a senior who lives in Berkeley? Join Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and Elevate Energy to learn […]
  Sarah Edwards
• Cook County Increasing Efforts to Fight Climate Change January 22, 2019
  Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Cook County and the Forest Preserves of Cook County are stepping up the fight against climate change. Resolutions (Cook County Board and Forest Preserves of Cook County) introduced this week set the ambitious goal of making all County government buildings and other operations carbon neutral by […]
  laura.oakleaf
• 32% Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from County buildings from 2010 January 22, 2019
  Now more than ever, local government has a crucial role in sustainability and promoting green practices.  The annual sustainability report highlights the County’s sustainability work in both our own operations and in the communities we work with every day. At Cook County we are working to make sure that: Local action is effective. […]
  laura.oakleaf
• Energy savings: The gift that keeps on giving December 13, 2018
  One of the best parts of the holidays are the decorative lights that adorn our homes, but those twinkly lights can come at a price. Holiday lighting in the United States alone uses enough electricity to power 200,000 homes for up to a year. If all the decorative […]
  laura.oakleaf
• Weatherizing Your Home November 30, 2018
  If you add up all the leaks, holes and gaps in your home’s building envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year. Yikes! Consider weatherizing your home in order to save money and energy and to keep your home toasty. Weatherization focuses on finding the small leaks […]
  laura.oakleaf
• On America Recycles Day remember to recycle right! November 15, 2018
  Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability is taking the opportunity to remind residents about ‘recycling right’ as part of America Recycles Day. One in four items placed in recycling carts is not recyclable, according to the recycling industry. This increases contamination which slows down recycling sorting facilities, reduces prices received […]
  laura.oakleaf
• Cook County Policy Roadmap Supports Sustainable Communities November 14, 2018
  Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released her Policy Roadmap on November 15. The Roadmap is a strategic plan that sets the vision of the Offices under the President and outlines direction and key policy priorities for the next five years. It focuses on six broad policy areas (including criminal […]
  laura.oakleaf