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Green Resources

• GREEN ROOF TOPS & ROOF TOP GARDENS

Chicago Green Roofs (website)

Provides information about green roofs in general and Chicago locations and resources, such as:

Lists of benefits of green roofs
Map of green roofs in Chicago
Tips for getting started, including plant suggestions and structural considerations
Information on obtaining permits
Green Roof Provider List PDF
Additional resource links

City Hall Rooftop Garden (website)
The City Hall rooftop garden sits atop Chicago’s City Hall, an 11-story office building in Chicago’s Loop
The 20,300 square foot City Hall rooftop garden has 20,000 plants of more than 150 varieties including 100 shrubs, 40 vines and 2 trees.

Uncommon Ground’s Organic Roof Top Farm (website)
Chicago’s First Certified Organic Roof Top Farm
Affiliated with Uncommon Ground Restaurant on Devon, which also hosts Farmer Fridays throughout the growing season

• HOMES AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING RESOURCES

Chicago Green Homes (website)
The residential construction industry uses vast quantities of this nation’s resources. Through practicing greater environmental sensitivity, we can positively, and with lasting and meaningful impact, construct buildings that use less energy and fewer resources to build and operate, have a reduced impact on the environment and influence the direction of developing technologies and materials. The purpose of the Chicago Green Homes Program is to encourage residential builders, developers and homeowners to use technologies, products and practices that will:

Provide greater energy efficiency
Provide healthier indoor air
Reduce water usage
Preserve natural resources
Improve durability and reduce maintenance
Reduce waste and pollution

City of Chicago Green Building Resources (website)
CGT also offers tours, workshops and other opportunities for people to learn about green technology. Guided tours of the facility are available to anyone who wants to see sustainable design first-hand. Educational workshops on topics of general interest, such as solar electricity, native landscaping, and green roofs, are offered to the general public. Seminars designed specifically for building industry professionals address issues of interest to them, such as boiler efficiency and whole-building design strategies.

Ecovian (website)
Ecovian city guides are a comprehensive sources of regional green living information, covering topics such as where to find organic & local food (CSA programs, farmers markets, organic restaurants, grocery stores, etc.), natural clothing & baby stores, eco-friendly cleaning services, solar system installers, and many other green resources & local businesses.

• RECYCLING

City of Chicago Recycling (website)
A division of the department of Streets and Sanitation, includes information on:

The Blue Cart Program
Residential and Commercial Recycling
Special Recycling Programs (composting, electronics, hazardous waste, motor oil)

Blue Cart Program (website)
The program will apply to residents of the selected neighborhoods who normally receive city garbage pick-up. In other words, those who live in a single family home or buildings of up to four units.

City of Chicago Recycling Block Club Captain Program (website)
The Blue Cart separate collection recycling program has expanded to encompass seven wards (19, 5, 8, 1, 37, 46, and 47). To ensure the program’s success, the Department of Environment is calling upon residents in these communities to become Recycling Block Club Captains. A Recycling Block Club Captain will: answer questions for their neighbors; generate enthusiasm; provide the City with feedback about the program; and help spread the word on future recycling-related activities, such as composting, battery collection, and the new Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility.

Blue Drop-Off Centers in Chicago (website)
Blue Drop-Off Centers are located in communities across the city. Chicagoans can bring paper, plastics and glass for separate recycling during daylight hours. The Centers accept the same full range of materials as the Blue Carts and all recyclables can be tossed in together.

• GARDENS, COMPOSTING and RAIN BARRELS

Green Trees Initiative (website)
Is a coalition of government and non-profit agencies focused on expanding and improving Chicago’s Urban Forest. Our mission is to improve quality of life in Chicago by increasing public awareness about the value and importance of trees. By preserving and planting trees, we increase our urban forest – one of the most valuable environmental assets on the planet.

NeighborSpace (website)
Helps community groups protect and secure their community garden or park from potential development, and works in concert with many private and public partners to preserve and expand community managed open space in Chicago.

Chicago Park District Community Gardens (website)
Maintained by the Chicago Park District, information on community garden spaces in the parks; includes information on:

Existing Community Gardens
Developing a New Community Garden
Harvest Garden program for children aged 8-12
Jackson Park Urban Farm
Additional links and resources

GreenNet (website)
A coalition of non-profit organizations and public agencies committed to sharing information and resources serving as a clearinghouse for information about greening in Chicago and developing joint efforts to improve the quality, amount, use, and wide geographic distribution of sustainable, green open space in the City of Chicago.
Includes information on: