Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
Environmental Action
Our Environmental Action Committee advocates for environmental sustainability and environmental justice for all in Chicago.
Want to get involved? Contact environment@lwvchicago.org!
Our regular column focuses on sustainable options we as individuals can adopt to better care for our planet using three basic principals: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Our Strategy
Educate and motivate Chicago League members to engage in outreach activities to support and improve Chicago’s environmental initiatives
Advocate for city ordinances and proposed legislation in the City Council focused on improving the environmental health of Chicago
Coordinate and support environmental actions with other regional and state League chapters
Work with other environmental organizations to support and strengthen our impact
Current Environmental Partners
Current Advocacy Projects
Chicago
Advocate for effective funding and implementation for the Department of Environment
Advocate for the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance to decarbonize new construction (O2024-0007305)
Advance Cumulative Impact Assessment to policy
Advocate for reduction of single-use plastic
Tips & Tricks for Sustainable Living
According to the US EPA, each of us on average generates 4.9 lbs of waste per day (or 1788.5 lbs per year). Never fear! There are ways of reducing, reusing or, if all else fails, recycling our waste—and we’ll show you how.
Reduce
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Shop local.
Check out Eco and the Flamingo, Chicago’s first Zero Waste General Store for refills on herbs, spices, salt and pepper. Bonus—they are woman-owned.
Put Fresh Thyme in your grocery store rotation for bulk nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, grains, beans, cereal, tea, coffee, soup, dried fruit, candy and more.
Utilize farmer’s markets
Subscribe to:
Delivery options like Misfits Market, Imperfect Foods
Download the Too Good To Go app to purchase restaurant meals, foodservice items, and groceries at a discounted price so they don't end up in the garbage.
Save money, and waste less by curbing impulse buys.
Plan your menus
Shop with a list
Bring your reusable bags.
Buy more fresh, less prepackaged and frozen.
Look for loose or bulk options.
Visit the deli counter for cheese and deli meats, ask for paper wrapping
Choose non-perishable products packaged in paper, glass or metal containers over plastic.
Avoid single-use options like K-cups and pre-packaged single serving snacks.
Plan some meatless meals in your menu rotation. You will be reducing methane emissions caused by raising livestock and avoiding styrofoam meat trays and plastic wrap.
Skip the Styrofoam®
Buy eggs in paper cartons, which can be composted or recycled.
Ask for meat to be wrapped in butcher paper or purchase on plastic trays.
Ask your grocery store to:
Carry fewer products in plastic and Styrofoam®.
Add bulk options.
Stop using single-use carryout plastic bags.
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Shop local.
Check out Eco and the Flamingo, Chicago’s first Zero Waste General Store. They not only carry package-free products, they have bulk refills for home cleaning, dish and laundry supplies. And they are woman-owned!
New on the Zero Waste scene is The Refilleri and The Unwaste Shop for refills and household supplies. Also woman-owned!
Use reusable plates and utensils.
Skip the bottled water.
Filter your home water with:
Refillable option like Brita
Refrigerator dispenser
Under-sink filter system
For sparkling water, invest in a carbonizer like Sodastream®. All cartridges are returnable for refill.
Brew coffee or espresso, skip the single-use pods.
Food Storage
Store leftovers, perishables and dry goods in reusable containers
Trade your plastic zip bags for reusable silicone bags like Stashers
Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
Try recycled paper and bamboo options in plastic-free packaging like Who Gives a Crap?
Household Cleaning
Try natural cleaning agents like diluted white vinegar and baking soda as an alternative to chemical based cleansers
Look for cleaners in concentrated formulas or tablets. Simply add water!
Skip the Swiffers® and single-use wipes
Try Swedish cloths instead of sponges and paper towels, or use old t-shirts and towels for rags
Use powdered dishwasher soap or tablets instead of liquid, never pods
Consider ordering cleaning products from plastic-conscious companies like Ethique, Grove Collaborative, The Earthling Company, and Blueland.
Laundry
To use less gas and electricity, lighten the load on your energy bill and have your clothes last longer:
Try plastic-free, waterless laundry detergent sheets and tablets from
Or use powder instead of liquid, never pods
Skip synthetic softeners and single-use dryer sheets
Pro tip! Add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural softener and deodorizer
Toss 2 or 3 wool dryer balls into the dryer to speed up drying time, fluff up your towels, fight wrinkles, prevent static and soften clothes. And when they need replacing, just toss them into your compost
Sheets & Towels
Buy 100% cotton, NOT microfiber or polyester
Invest in reusable cloth napkins in natural cotton or linen
Dry-clean only when necessary
Ask for a reusable bag vs a plastic dust cover
Return wire hangers to your dry cleaner, they will thank you!
Waste
Compost your food scraps, it’s easy to do!
Have recycling receptacles in your home
Fill your bags
Use paper bags if possible
Never bundle your recyclables in plastic bags, keep loose or use paper
As you reduce your waste, rightsize your trash can to match your weekly waste
Advocate with your building, board and alderman for the right to have community composting pickup
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Shop Local
Check out Eco and the Flamingo, Chicago’s first Zero Waste General Store. They not only carry package-free products, they have bulk refills for some health and beauty supplies. And they are woman-owned!
New on the Zero Waste scene is The Refilleri and The Unwaste Shop for refills and other personal care items. Also woman-owned!
Deodorant Alternatives
Dental Care
Try toothpaste and mouthwash tablets packaged in glass containers from Bite, while you are at it check out the floss and bamboo toothbrushes to round out your plastic free dental routine
Choose bars over liquids and lotions.
Bars are not just for soap! Try shampoo, conditioner and skin moisturizers in bar form from Ethique and Peach Not Plastic (available through Amazon and Grove Collaborative)
Choose plastic-free options.
Try plastic-free lip balms from Poppy and Pout. All containers are compostable!
Clothing and Leather Goods
Skip the fast fashion, buy better quality and timeless styles
Buy more natural fabrics (cotton, silk, wool & linen) and avoid microfiber and polyester (spandex, Lycra®, tencel, Lyocel®, rayon, acrylic). You will avoid fabric made out of fossil fuel, and your clothes will last longer
Get to know your local shoe repair shop to make your favorite shoes and bags look like new!
Buy gently used from local resale shops, Goodwill, eBay, Poshmark, and The RealReal
Special event coming up? Rent from Rent the Runway or borrow from a friend
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Gifts
Think regift, it’s cool to do now
Handmade and gifts of service add a personal touch
Also explore digital, edible, or experiential options
Online Ordering
Reuse shipping boxes and bags when possible
Recycle your cardboard and paper shipping containers
Fill your shopping cart on Amazon, then pick ‘Amazon Day’ to minimize packaging
Check out Amazon Second Chance: pass it on, trade it in, give it a second life!
Unwanted snail mail/junk mail and catalogs? Unsubscribe!
While you are at it, go digital with newspapers, magazines, catalogs and books
More Ideas
Reduce your home energy consumption with easy ideas from our Waste Not Want Not blog entitled “Happy Energy Awareness Month!”
Keep our water clean by remembering to only flush the 3 P’s: Pee, Poop, and (toilet) Paper!
Plant native plants and pollinators to attract bees and butterflies
Eat in rather than ordering in!
Bring your own reusable container for leftovers
Ask for foil or a recyclable option if you forget your to-go container
Opt for tap vs. bottled water
Celebrate with bubbles instead of balloon releases
Reuse
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Meet your neighbors, make some cash…Have a garage sale!
Regift! (It’s cool to do now.)
Donate
• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Dress for SuccessSell (or buy!)
• Facebook Marketplace
• Craigslist
• eBay
• Poshmark
• thredUPConsign
Rent
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Reuse miscellaneous shipping materials:
• Boxes
• Bubble wrap/air pillows
• Soft packsOr donate to Ecoship
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Art supplies, bikes, tools (and much, much more)?
• Check out this amazing reuse guide from Chicago Environmentalists
Old towels?
• Donate to your local animal shelter
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Check out Amazon Second Chance: pass it on, trade it in, give it a second life!
Recycle
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Set up recycling bins in your home.
No recycling bins in your complex? Or place of employment? Call 311.
Know your Waste Management Contractor’s policies.
• Chicago Blue Cart
• If policies are unclear, call and ask your contractor
• Recycling must be loose or in paper bags, NO PLASTIC BAGS -
Educate your apartment building, management company, HOA association, or landlord.
Proper recycling procedures
• Post instructions of what can and cannot be recycled at the recycling station
• Keep recycling loose, not bundled in plastic waste bags -
Recycle plastic bags and film at your local grocery, Target, Kohls, or other store.
• RecycleByCity
• PlasticFilmRecycling -
Dispose of unused and out-of-date medications at Walgreens® and CVS®.
The City of Chicago also recycles large items, electronics, household chemicals, paint, medication, and yard waste.
Look to TerraCycle for other hard to recycle items, such as:
• Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack will take back ALL brands of beauty and cosmetic packaging, empty or not. Just bring in your items to the cosmetics department and ask for the drop off box.
• Are you a contact lens wearer? Bausch + Lomb has teamed up with eyecare locations to take back your used lenses and packaging. Use the search function to find a participating location and drop off at your convenience!
Participate in Chicago Waste Management events!
• Pumpkin Smash
• Seasonal tree recycling program
What do gas stoves and cigarettes have in common? When burned, they both release many of the same toxic substances detrimental to human health—and both the gas and tobacco industries knew for decades that these products caused serious health problems without disclosing the risks to the public.