Vol. IV, Issue I2
Naperville
Connected
We’ve Gone Green! In honor of Earth Day on April 22, Naperville Connected is “going green” this month to
highlight the City’s many environmental initiatives and its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
Environmental Collection Campus
The opening of the City’s new
Household Hazardous Waste
(HHW) Facility in February
completed Naperville’s Environmental Collection Campus, which
now serves as a one-stop-drop
for area residents to properly
dispose of everything from traditional recyclables and electronics to household chemicals and
prescription medications.
The campus, located on Fort
Hill Drive just north of the Public
Works Service Center, features
multiple waste-specific drop-
off and drive-through lanes for
customers wanting to recycle
electronics, dispose of hazardous waste or drop off traditional
recyclables.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste
is collected at 156 Fort Hill Drive
on Saturdays and Sundays from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m., excluding holidays.
Materials may not be dropped off
outside these posted hours. Hazardous materials are no longer
accepted at Fire Station No. 4.
Stay Connected to Your City
City Website: www.naperville.il.us
Naper Notify Notification System: www.napernotify.com
Government Access TV Station WCNC:
Ch. 6 - Wide Open West, Ch. 10 - Comcast, Ch. 99 - AT&T
City Radio Station WPFP:1610 AM
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NapervilleIL
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NapervilleIL
YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialNapervilleIL
eNews: www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx
Streaming Media: www.naperville.il.us/granicus.html
RSS Feeds: www.naperville.il.us/rssfeeds.aspx
General Number: (630) 420-6111
Office of the Mayor: (630) 420-6018
Office of the City Council: (630) 548-2983
City Manager’s Office: (630) 420-6044
Emergency Ambulance, Fire and Police: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency Police: (630) 420-6666
Non-Emergency Fire: (630) 420-6142
Electric, Street Light,Water and Sewer Problems: (630) 420-6187
Communications/Connected Editorial Staff: (630) 420-6707
Mayor: A. George Pradel
City Council: Judith Brodhead, Steve Chirico,
Robert Fieseler, Paul Hinterlong, Douglas Krause,
Joseph J. McElroy, Tom Miers, David G. Wentz
City Manager: Douglas A. Krieger
Naperville operates one of
only four permanent drop-off locations for household hazardous
waste in the state. The new facility improves efficiency of sorting
materials; shortens wait times
for those dropping off materials;
and provides increased protection for the public and employees
through spill control, sprinklers
and ventilation.
Electronics and Traditional
Recycling
Electronics and traditional
recyclables may be dropped off at
180 Fort Hill Drive on Wednesdays and Saturdays between the
hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. This
is a self-service drop-off location.
Materials may not be dropped off
outside these posted hours. The
City currently limits the number of cathode ray tube (CRT)
computer monitors and televisions that an individual may drop
off to two.
More information about these
programs can be found at www.
naperville.il.us/trashrecycling.aspx.
Brush Collection Scheduled to Begin May 18
The bulk curbside brush collection program will begin May 18 and
corresponds to the weekly curbside garbage collection schedule. Full
information is available at www.naperville.il.us/brushcollection.aspx.
To receive program updates from Naper Notify, visit www.napernotify.
com and sign up for the Brush and Leaf Collection category.
Sustainability Goals for the Year Ahead
In 2010, Naperville adopted its first Sustainability Plan. It includes
nearly 50 goals to improve the City’s environmental impact. Annually,
three plan goals are selected. In FY16, the following will be pursued:
1. Establish a program for recognition of businesses and residents who employ “green” practices.
Through partnership with the Conservation Foundation, the City
will promote that organization’s successful “conservation at home”
and “conservation at work” programs. Rather than duplicate efforts,
this approach provides a more efficient course for action.
2. More efficiently use natural resources in operating City facilities.
Beginning in May, the City will be changing waste haulers. The new
vendor uses some alternative fuel vehicles and plans to use more over
time when equipment requires replacement. In addition, the Fire Department will be purchasing a second “green” ambulance. Replacement
of standby diesel generators with natural gas units and leak detection
system actions will also support this goal.
3. Develop cost effective options for waste hauling and recycling.
Pursuit of this goal will focus on the consolidated effort with DuPage
County to achieve a joint electronics recycling contract, involvement in
state legislative efforts to address electronics recycling funding and the
impact of the new regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
City Calendar - April/May/June 2015
April 8 & 21, May 5 & 19, June 2 & 16: City Council, 7 p.m.
April 1 & 15, May 6 & 20, June 3 & 17: Planning and Zoning Commission, 7 p.m.
April 4, May 2, June 6: Transportation Advisory Board, 8 a.m.
Sunday, May 3: Special City Council Meeting - Swearing-In Ceremony, 1 p.m.
The above-listed meetings and workshops are held in the Council Chambers at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. Meetings are
broadcast live on the City’s government access channel WCNC (Ch. 6 - WOW, Ch. 10 - Comcast and Ch. 99 - AT&T). Residents can also
view meetings live or on-demand online at www.naperville.il.us/granicus.html. Potential Council workshop dates include April 13 & 27; May 11;
and June 8, 22 & 30. Dates and topics are subject to change.
Pet Owners, Let’s Go Green
Recycling at Special Events
There are many options available for pet
owners to lessen their carbon footprint.
Several suggestions include:
• Buying food and supplies in bulk;
• Composting animal waste;
• Using biodegradable cat litter;
• Donating reuseable pet items; and
• Focusing on natural and biodegradable
non-food pet products, including grooming, cleaning and medicinal items.
More information can be found by searching “pet owner eco friendly” online.
Throughout the past year, City staff has looked at opportunities to increase the amount of
recycling that occurs at special events within Naperville. Staff surveyed event organizers to see
what recycling opportunities currently exist, why they do or do not recycle at various events
and whether recycling could be incorporated into future events.
Following up on that survey, City staff put together a checklist of helpful recycling ideas and
tips that will be provided as part of the City application packet to any organization planning
a special event. The checklist will provide options for environmentally friendly materials and
procedures. While not a requirement, the City hopes to encourage recycling opportunities by
providing this information to groups planning their events.
When you attend a special event, be it in Naperville or somewhere else, please take advantage
of any recycling opportunities available. Encourage others to do so as well. These efforts can
add up to big savings for the planet over time.
Eco-Friendly Ambulances
Green Shopping Tips
In 2014, the Naperville Fire Department
purchased a new ambulance unit with all the
standard life-saving equipment one would
expect, as well as a solar panel to charge
vehicle batteries and operate an on-demand
“green” air conditioning condenser unit.
This ambulance is the most efficient in the
emergency equipment industry and can
reduce energy consumption by 52 percent
over conventional technology.
As the department’s ambulances age, the
Fire Department plans to convert its entire
fleet of ambulances to “EcoSmart” units.
One of the easiest ways a person can impact the environment is by tweaking shopping habits.
Consumption is a regular aspect of life and, left uninspected, can significantly impact our surroundings. Like most large scale issues, sustainability begins with small changes, including:
• Buy Reusable and Long Lasting - Longer-lasting items equal less overall waste.
• Rethink Transportation - Make lists to avoid emergency shopping trips and carpool.
• Reuse and Re-Purpose - Not all empty or used containers need to be trashed.
• Know Your Labels - If you want organic or free-range items, be sure to research first.
• Avoid Chemicals - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a health hazard and is not biodegradable.
• Shop Locally - Support the local economy and reduce long-haul truck use and emissions.
Renewable Energy Program
The Renewable Energy Program is one of
the most convenient ways Naperville utility
customers can support the environment.
For as little as $5 extra per month on your
utility bill, you can help deliver 200 kilowatt
hours (kWh) of renewable wind and solar
energy to the Illinois power grid.
To date, more than 3,800 customers are
supporting the annual purchase of more
than 14 million kWh of renewable energy,
equivalent to removing more than 3,200
cars from the road or growing more than
426,000 trees for a decade.
Sign up today by calling (630) 420-6059 or
visit www.naperville.il.us/renewable.aspx.
Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS)
seeks nominations to recognize outstanding
service by Police personnel by April 20, 2015.
Read more at www.naperville.il.us/caps.aspx.
Native Landscaping
Native landscaping is the planting of indigenous vegetation, including trees, shrubs, flowers and
grasses, to help restore and maintain a healthy environment. Here are some reasons why and
how native landscaping can benefit both you and your surroundings.
• Improves the Environment - Because native plants have adapted to local conditions they
are genetically structured to thrive in their indigenous area.
• Improves Water Quality - Pesticides and herbicides introduce chemicals into the soil and
eventually water through runoff.
• Saves Money - Native plants require less care, which means fewer dollars spent on fertilizer,
pesticides and herbicides. It also means less watering and a cheaper utility bill.
• Improves Air Quality - Native landscaping can drastically reduce smog and air toxins by
eliminating aforementioned maintenance equipment.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/greenacres/nativeplants/factsht.html.
Safely Dispose of Unwanted and Expired Medications
In 2014, the City launched a first of its kind in the state program to help residents safely and
anonymously dispose of prescription drugs.
Through the Prescription Drug Drop Box Program, any member of the public can dispose of
unused/expired prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication at one of the City’s 10 fire
stations 24-hours a day, seven days a week or in the Naperville Police Department lobby from 7
a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. No needles or syringes are accepted at any location.
Since its inception, almost 1,700 pounds of medication have been collected. These medications
can negatively impact water sources if disposed of by flushing down the toilet.
For a list of fire stations and their addresses, visit www.naperville.il.us/nfdlocations.aspx.