Sustainability for Business

Rebate Programs

Rebates on eligible commercial energy efficient lighting and equipment projects are available through a program supported by the Village of Winnetka and the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA). This program supports energy efficiency projects such as indoor and outdoor LED lighting retrofits and programmable thermostats saving businesses energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering utility bills. Through 2024, Winnetka has distributed more than $427,000 to drive over 2 million kWh of energy savings and about 2,000 metric tons of avoided CO₂ emissions (assuming mostly coal-fired generation). Contact the Water and Electric Department at 847-716-3558 to learn more about these programs. 

Energy Efficiency Financing

Finance your project through Cook County’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program which provides low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation and resiliency projects in commercial buildings. Commercial property owners can receive up to 100% upfront financing from private capital providers for qualified upgrades to their HVAC, lighting and solar photovoltaic systems.

Additional energy efficiency grants or financing programs may be available through the Green Business Engagement National Network or other institutions.

Investing in solar energy can help save money, increase resiliency, and reduce carbon emissions. Tax credits, leasing options, and other financing mechanisms may be available to help with affordability.

If you are interested in going solar, our Community Development department has commercial/multi-family checklists. To learn more about the specifics of solar energy installation processes, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council publishes helpful guides.

Going paperless to embraces sustainability and improves efficiency. Send customers email receipts, pay invoices virtually, and store contracts and important forms digitally. Switch to sustainably sourced paper for any paperwork you keep, and recycle it when no longer needed. 

Try to find suppliers that share the same sustainability values as your business and use suppliers that use eco-friendly practices, are reducing carbon emissions, and, where applicable, support fair trade.  If possible, find products that use paper, cardboard, glass, or biodegradable plastic substitutes rather than single-use plastic in their packaging.

Whether you’re buying office supplies, food, or materials to run your business, sustainable options are available.  If you’re selling products that involve food or produce, a local farm that doesn’t use damaging chemicals could improve quality and also save money on transportation costs due to closer proximity. When shopping for supplies, such as printer paper, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, or even pens, check the label to see whether the item has been manufactured from post- or pre-consumer waste or sustainable materials. 

Safe Labels

US EPA's Safer Choice label helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that perform and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. Before a product can carry the Safer Choice label, the EPA reviews all chemical ingredients, regardless of their percentage in the product. Every ingredient must meet strict safety criteria for both human health and the environment.

MADE SAFE is another independent product certification. Products receiving the MADE SAFE seal are screened to ensure that over 6,500 banned and restricted substances have been avoided or constrained. It requires manufacturing transparency, including the disclosure of each substance and process involved in the formulation, going beyond basic ingredient list reviews to assess for broader impact. 

When retail stores encouraged consumers to bring their own bags or opt out of using one, nearly 5% fewer single-use plastic bags were used, according to a report from the industry-led Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag.

Some large retailers have pledged to eliminate plastic bags and some jurisdictions are implementing fees or banning them altogether. In the meantime, consider offering reusable cloth bags as an alternative, using paper bags, charging for plastic bags, or waiting until a customer asks for a bag before providing one. 

Lakeshore Recycling Systems offers a commercial composting organics program to Winnetka business and restaurant owners. The weekly program is cart-based with the option of using either a 65-gallon or 95-gallon cart. To sign up or find out more, email Lakeshore Recycling Systems or call 844-633-3577. 

Reducing and diverting food scraps from landfills and turning them into compost are simple but effective ways to:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 
• improve soil health, 
• reduce soil loss, 
• increase water filtration and storage, 
• turn food scraps into a resource.  

WaterSense

WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the US EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water. The WaterSense label makes it simple to find water-efficient products and programs that meet EPA’s criteria. WaterSense labeled products and services are certified to use at least 20% less water and save energy without compromising performance.

Fix Leaks

Organize a Fix a Leak Week event in your facility to challenge employees and tenants to find leaks and report water waste. 

Common types of leaks include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, outdoor spigots and sprinklers, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing easily corrected building water leaks can save up to 10% on water bills.