To lead by example, the City of Chicago has developed this Sustainable Operations Plan for conducting day-to-day operations at City facilities in a sustainable manner.  It provides actions for management, employees, and departments to implement as part of their daily operations. This plan intends to remind departments to make environmentally conscious decisions and to integrate sustainability measures as a standard practice into everything we do. 

This Plan addresses seven areas of sustainability:

• Health and Safety
• Energy Efficiency
• Waste Reduction & Recycling
• Sustainable Purchasing
• Water Conservation
• Transportation
• Climate Change

This Plan builds upon the city’s existing commitment to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification of all new city buildings, and will add to our existing inventory of over 40 LEED-certified buildings. The Sustainable Operations Plan also incorporates many of the elements of the policies and programs prepared by 2FM for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance certification.

Implementing the Sustainable Operations Plan is also a key action identified in the city’s Sustainable Chicago 2015 Action Agenda, which set concrete initiatives, metrics and strategies aimed at advancing Chicago’s goals of being the most livable, competitive and sustainable city in the 21st century.

Educational Material
Below are downloadable files of educational materials providing tips and information on various topics covered in the Sustainable Operations Plan.

Energy Efficiency

• Be Smart Do Your Part Pamphlet

Waste and Recycling

• Copy Room Paper Reduction Tips Poster

Water Efficiency

• Bathroom and Kitchen Water Reduction Tips Poster