How is the Village working toward a more sustainable future?

Over the years, the Village has been improving policies and procedures to incorporate sustainable practices - but to help formalize this effort, the Village Board adopted the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ Greenest Region Compact (GRC) in 2016. The GRC is a document consisting of 49 high-level goals which are aligned with important local, regional, national and global goals. GRC consensus goals guide municipal action, support mayors in their role as environmental leaders, and foster collaboration that will have positive impacts on the region. By adopting the GRC by formal resolution, the Village has agreed to work to achieve the GRC goals in  our community and in collaboration with other municipalities across the region. To date, 141 communities have adopted the GRC to improve quality of life for more than 6 million residents.

Continuing to formalize policy related to sustainability, the Village Board also endorsed the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region on December 7, 2021. This regional plan provides strategies specifically tailored for action for municipalities. The Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region encompasses two goals, each with its own interim targets and objectives, to reduce future impacts and adapt to a changing climate: (1) net zero greenhouse gas emissions and (2) persistent, equitable climate adaption. 

Creating a Plan for Mount Prospect

Members of the Village’s Sustainability Team are working on a draft of the Village’s first Operational Sustainability Plan. The creation of such a plan is a 2021-2022 Strategic Plan High Priority Action item. The plan will establish focus areas which mirror the Greenest Region Compact, reviews why the focus areas are important to sustainability, provides goals, and reviews the Village’s sustainability achievements and progress to date. An Implementation Guide will be included in the plan, which will outline potential new as well as ongoing or annual initiatives. Look for a final version of this plan later on this year.

Learn more about Current Initiatives

Waste & Recycling | The Village offers curbside organics collection - which includes more than yard waste! We also participate in textile recycling, household hazardous waste and electronics recycling collection programs. 

Mobility | Nearly every year in the CIP, the Village includes pedestrian crossing improvements to help encourage walkability. In 2020, the Village board gave the “thumbs up” to continuing with our Bicycle Plan implementation, and also formally adopted a Complete Streets policy.

Energy Use & Alternative Energy | The Village has installed Electric Vehicle Recharging Stations in both downtown parking decks, and in February the Village Board approved a consultant contract to develop an electric vehicle transition plan, which will address the incorporation of electric vehicles into the Village fleet.

Water Resources & Conservation | The Village’s local code requires the use of WaterSense fixtures when available and participates in the EyeOnWater program, which allows residents to track water usage via an app.

Visit the Village’s Sustainability web page to learn more.