GOAL: PROMOTE A SUSTAINABLE
ENVIRONMENT
STRATEGIC STATEMENT: Preserve the health of our natural resources, air quality, and our
drinking water through the widespread use of environmentally sustainable management
practices, effective stormwater management, and the enhancement and rehabilitation of
lakes and other ecological systems.
1 Strategy 1: Implement renewable and conservation-related energy technologies, and
incorporate green practices in the delivery of County programs and services where cost
effective.
2 Strategy 2: Raise awareness about green and sustainable practices by leveraging existing tools
and partnerships to encourage residents, businesses, and other governments to change
behaviors and practices.
3 Strategy 3: Implement long-term solutions for increasing waste diversion through recycling and
composting, reducing the toxicity of our waste, and developing long-term disposal options that
have a positive impact on energy usage, reducing key pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Action A: Evaluate and implement new ways to procure products and services that promote green operational practices.
Action B: Draft, adopt, and implement policies and ordinances that support emerging energy alternatives county-wide to
encourage renewable energy technologies in appropriate locations.
Action C: Continue to review County policies and practices and consider sustainability, along with business factors, and
where appropriate, implement more sustainable alternatives.
Action A: Reduce pollutants in surface water (streams, lakes, and wetlands) and groundwater by educating and raising
awareness about watersheds and their importance in maintaining a safe supply of high quality drinking water.
Action B: Conduct targeted community outreach to increase the amount of residential hazardous waste collected.
Action C: Increase the volume of textiles collected by informing residents about drop off sites throughout the county.
Action D: Raise awareness about the County’s sustainability programs and activities through public information efforts
utilizing multi-media formats.
Action A: Continue to implement the recommendations from the 60% Recycling Taskforce.
Action B: Work with SWALCO, municipalities, private waste management and recycling companies, and other stakeholders to
implement measures and minimize barriers to reduce total waste, increase waste diversion from the landfills, and encourage
composting and recycling.
Action C: Support SWALCO’s efforts to raise awareness regarding the establishment of food scrap diversion programs in Lake
County, and examine the feasibility of establishing a pilot food scrap diversion program on one of the Lake County campuses.
Action D: Promote sustainable waste management practices, and identify and develop solutions to eliminate or mitigate
barriers to waste diversion and recycling within County facilities.
Action E: Work with SWALCO, and other stakeholder groups, in their regional and state-wide advocacy roles to support
legislation that re-instates viable electronic recycling programs and assists in creating end-markets for compost material.
11