Sustainability Committee Initiatives 

The Sustainability Committee has been active in the community to promote eco-friendly initiatives, including:

  1. Drive less and walk, bike, or use transit whenever possible. 
  2. Reduce the amount of time you idle your car. Information regarding idling reduction can be found here.
  3. Fill up your gas tank and mow your lawn in the evening.
  4. Use air friendly cleaning products.
  5. Use low and zero-VOC paints during construction and remodeling projects.
  6. Replace your appliances and light bulbs with their energy saving counterparts.
  7. Utilize rain barrels to conserve water for your lawn and garden.
  8. Use power strips so that you can turn the power off to your electronics when they are not in use. Benefits to using power strips can be found here. 
  9. Use natural landscaping on your property to minimize the need to mow your lawn. The Wildflower Preservation and Propagation Committee can help homeowners develop a natural garden. 

Events

The Committee participates in multiple events each year to promote eco-friendly initiatives in the City of Crystal Lake.  Events include:

  1.  Johnny Appleseed Festival: September 2024.
  2.  First Annual Husmann Elementary Environmental Night: Thursday, November 7, 2019.

How to Get Involved

The Sustainability Committee always welcomes guests from the public to attend meetings and to join the Committee at events. The Committee meets on the third Wednesday each month at City Hall. 

Share Your Stories

The Sustainability Committee shares messages regarding sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in the City newsletter and on City social media pages.  Businesses and/or residents are encouraged to share their stories with the Committee to help promote awareness in our community.  Please share your stories and how you practice or promote sustainability to sustainability@crystallake.org. 

Rewiring America Electrification Incentives

Rewiring America has created an online tool for homeowners to find incentives and tax credits for electrifying their homes. The calculator can be accessed through the following link here. 

Bicycling

The Illinois League of Bicyclists advocates for bicycling as an alternative to emissions producing vehicles. More information regarding the ILB can be found here.