Becoming a Leader in Sustainability

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Peoria County Board identified a need to address internal sustainability concerns during its strategic planning sessions in 2009 and 2010. As a result, Peoria County's Recycling and Resource Conservation Department was charged with the development of an internal sustainability plan that would effectively demonstrate the County's desire to be a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability for our facilities, operations, and the community. A sustainability team of internal and external environmentally-minded individuals was formed on July 20, 2010 to identify areas of concern within the organization; research best practices; establish key elements, long-term objectives, and short-term goals; and propose a detailed plan of sustainable actions to the County Board. The team's efforts resulted in adoption of Peoria County's Sustainability Plan in August 2011. This plan is included with the application as a supplemental document. Implementation of the plan began immediately thereafter and included the formation of the Green CREW, monitoring electrical and water usage, reducing solid waste, and building to LEED standards. A two-year progress report with a thumb rating for each element was presented to the County Board in October 2013. Of the six elements in the Sustainability Plan, three received a thumbs-up for exceeding short-term goals: Buildings and Construction, Operations, and Employees. Of the remaining three elements, only one - Land Use - earned a thumbs-down for not meeting the established goals.