The Sustainable Lisle Business Partnership is a coalition of Lisle businesses that are committed to meeting the needs of their customers and community, while reducing environmental impacts in the Village and beyond.  "Going Green" is appreciated by consumers and can also result in decreased operating costs and increased sales. 

Step One - Schedule a Complimentary Green Audit
Businesses interested in becoming more environmentally responsible should first undergo a complimentary Green Audit to help identify sustainable opportunities within the company.

The Green Audit takes approximately one hour and will be performed by SCARCE, a local environmental education organization. It will include a review of water and energy usage, air quality, recycling, waste production, purchasing practices and more.

At the end of the audit, the business will receive a list of practical, eco-friendly activities it can choose to incorporate into its daily operations. To schedule a Green Audit, please contact Catherine Schuster, Economic Development Director at (630)-271-4148 or via email.

Step Two - Offer Green Products/Services & Include Sustainable Practices in Operations
After reviewing the Green Audit results, the business choose to offer a minimum of two green products or services to customers. In addition, businesses also need to incorporate at least two sustainable practices into their operations.  An “Other” option is available in each category to ensure that this program is flexible enough to accommodate the wide variety of businesses in Lisle.

Sustainable Products or Services
The business should sell or produce products that are identified as an environmentaly-preferable alternative to traditional products . Examples include:

Use of environmentally-preferable materials in production (recycled paper, green ink, sustainable dry cleaning fluids or use materials that are obtained in a sustainable manner, such as wood/lumber from sustainably managed forests and certain types of sustainably caught fish

Sell products that promote or enable energy efficient and renewable energy use (sell CFL light bulbs, energy efficient appliances, thermal windows, etc)

Sell sustainable and local products or services (fair trade coffee, locally produced wine or locally grown fruit/vegetables)

Use materials that are sourced locally or regionally (Chicago Metropolitan Area or Midwest)

Other

Sustainable Operations 
The business should be making an active effort to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Examples include:

Invest in energy efficienct appliances and follow resource conservation practices (replacing standard light bulbs with CFLs or LED lights; purchasing Energy Star rated office equipment; turning the thermostat down by 2 degrees in the winter and up 2 degrees in the summer; turning off lights, computers, printers and copiers when not in use, and always at the end of the day)

Implement water conversation measures (low-flow faucets and toilets)

Reduce waste and recycle

Use environmentally-friendly office supplies (copier paper that contains at least 30% recycled content)

Reduce carbon and VOC output (low or no-VOC cleaning products and paints)

Encourage/offer workplace transportation options for employees (public transportation; van pooling; telecommuting; flexible work hours)

Add alternatively fueled vehicles and hybrids to company fleet

Other

Step Three - Green Directory Listing, Support Materials Distributed
The business receives a listing in the Green Directory of Lisle Businesses. The listing provides contact info and reviews the participating business' sustainable efforts as well as any special initiatives. Colorful decals and tent cards are distributed to inform customers that your business is a Green By Choice member.

For more information about this program, contact Catherine Schuster at (630) 271-4148 or via email.