Be recognized for your environmental achievements!

 

SEDAC has partnered with the Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) to operate the Illinois Green Business Program and provide businesses with high quality technical assistance and assessments that drive environmental and economic savings.

SEDAC is actively recruiting businesses of all sizes and organizations (public sector, not-for-profit organizations, etc.) to participate in the Illinois Green Business Program.

We are Illinois' one-stop shop for small business sustainability.

Graphic describing what a green business is. Green businesses take action to save money by wasting less, preventing pollution, reducing utility use, engaging employees, creating healthier places to work, and continuously improving.

Pollution Prevention Assessments

The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), in partnership with the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (Cook County DES), is offering technical assistance to prevent pollution, conserve energy, and reduce greenhouse gases at Illinois businesses.

    SEDAC is providing no-cost energy & sustainability assessments for businesses in the following sectors:

    • Automotive body and repair shops

    • Metal finishers

    • Food & beverage manufacturers, including breweries

    Participation is a low investment for businesses, but yield a high return. Assessments provide a comprehensive energy and sustainability report, outlining key resource and pollution-reducing opportunities, payback periods, investment costs, and funding opportunities to implement recommendations. As businesses implement projects, they can realize:

      • Reduced operating costs, such as lower utility bills

      • Improve competitiveness through beginning or growing company sustainability initiatives

      • Identify innovative technology to increase efficiency and sustainable manufacturing

      • Create safer and healthier work environments

      • Reduced environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions

      No-cost assessments are available through August 2024.

       

      Safer, More Sustainable Foodware for Food Establishments

      SEDAC at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has embarked on a collaborative project aimed at transforming the foodservice industry in the Chicagoland area. In partnership with the leadership and expertise of our collaborators at Takeout 25, Bright Beat, and Seven Generations Ahead, our aim is to promote the widespread adoption of health-friendly, non-toxic foodware in restaurants and we invite you to be part of this pioneering movement.

       

       

      Becoming an Illinois Green Business

      Resources

      Preparing Illinois Businesses for a Sustainable Future: Pollution Prevention Strategies and Innovations Webinar Series

      Join us to explore how sustainability and pollution prevention solutions benefit Illinois businesses by increasing profitability, reducing waste, and increasing […]

      A Safer Future: Embracing PFAS-Free Takeout Containers

      SEDAC has embarked on a collaborative project aimed at transforming the foodservice industry in the Chicagoland area. In partnership with […]

      Image describing Illinois' first green dining district

      Piloting Illinois’ First Green Dining District

      The restaurant industry in Illinois is ripe for a cooperative effort to reduce food waste, plastics, and energy use. Most […]

      Fringe Salon Case Study

      Fringe of Lombard is a boutique salon offering a unique sustainability experience for their customers. Since 2017, when the salon […]