March 24, 2010 :: Business, Event, LPCC

Living Green in Lincoln Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LPCC, Children’s Memorial Hospital Present First
“Living Green in Lincoln Park” Forum
Customers and Businesses Can Work Together for Environmental Change

CHICAGO (March 23, 2010) – More than 50 residents, business owners and community leaders joined Children’s Memorial Hospital, DePaul University and the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) Tuesday to discuss tips, resources and techniques for businesses to green their products, their facilities and supply chains in the first of a forum series titled “Living Green in Lincoln Park”.  Representatives from Children’s Memorial Hospital’s Community-Wide Forum launched Living Green in Lincoln Park on March 23 at DePaul University’s LEED Gold Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Science Building.
 

Children’s Memorial Hospital’s Living Green in Lincoln Park is the fourth project of the Lincoln Park Community Wide Forum. The goal of Living Green in Lincoln Park is to provide education and raise awareness centered on the new four Rs; Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, through a four-series speakers’ forum to occur throughout 2010 in Lincoln Park. The speakers’ forum information will be reinforced through an online reference guide and engagement by the community in activities that raise awareness of the project and green resources.

“Living Green in Lincoln Park is a way to draw awareness to an issue vital to every resident and business owner in the neighborhood, and across Chicago,” said Kim Schilf, LPCC President and CEO.  “We support businesses taking the necessary steps to improve their environmental impact.  We encourage businesses to go through this process and search for secondary benefits like increased sales, marketing and public relations opportunities.

“This comprehensive effort will help maintain Lincoln Park’s already strong reputation as a shopping destination in Chicago,” Schilf continued.  “We value our partnership with Children’s Memorial Hospital, DePaul University and the dozens of organizations and individuals dedicated to the Lincoln Park community.”

Rita Gutekanst, principal with Lincoln Park’s Limelight Catering, served as one of the event’s keynote speakers.  Gutekanst and her company went through an expansive green overhaul that proved her commitment to lowering the carbon footprint of her business.  Her story provided businesses large and small with examples of steps – also large and small – they can apply to their own locations.

“It is simply my corporate responsibility to promote a local, sustainable, responsible agenda to insure a healthy, safe, delicious product,” Gutekanst said

Kim Brokhof from Local Governments for Sustainability USA – a City of Chicago Department of Environment partner – was also on-hand to discuss Chicago’s Green Office Challenge, a comprehensive and friendly competition between property owners and tenants to improve the environmental operations of their facilities.  Dr. James Montgomery, Director of DePaul University’s Environmental Science Department discussed the environmental impacts of continuing without considering “green” business practices and discussed DePaul’s current and proposed sustainability activities.

Simple tips provided by the forum panel to green local businesses included:
•    Purchasing goods and services from local suppliers and companies;
•    Conversion of all light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs);
•    Provision of reusable plates, glasses, silverware and other cooking products for the office kitchen;
•    Conserve paper by printing on both sides every time and canceling junk mail;
•    Holding suppliers accountable to ensure recyclable materials are offered; and
•    Controlling computer, HVAC and appliance use.

“We are honored to partner with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, DePaul University, community organizations, schools and residents on the Living Green in Lincoln Park project,” said Nahlah Daddino, director of community relations for Children’s Memorial Hospital. “This Forum project reflects the environmentally-conscience tenor of the Lincoln Park community and desire to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Living Green in Lincoln Park is the fourth project of the Lincoln Park Community Wide Forum. The goal of Living Green in Lincoln Park is to provide education and raise awareness centered on the new four Rs; Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, through a four-series speakers’ forum to occur throughout 2010 in Lincoln Park. The speakers’ forum information will be reinforced through an online reference guide and engagement by the community in activities that raise awareness of the project and green resources.

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