Residents have access to several sustainability resources to help reduce energy use, conserve water and divert recyclable waste for landfills.

ComEd and Nicor have programs to help improve a home's energy efficiency.  From Free Home Energy Assessments, to Rebates and Discounts, there are opportunities to identity how to reduce energy consumption and start implementing solutions.

Also, through the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) a resident can purchase a rain barrel or receive a free oak tree sapling.  A rain barrel can help prevent sewer overflows and flooding in the short term and once the oak tree grows to a medium-size tree it can also provide the same benefits by absorbing 2,800 gallons of water per year.

In addition to residential curbside recycling, Mount Prospect residents have access to a number of additional recycling services through the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) which help divert recyclable waste from landfills.

Use the below tabs to learn more!

ComEd provides the follow programs to assist with improving energy efficiency and reducing your energy demand.

Home Energy Assessment

ComEd customers have opportunities to reduce energy usage with a FREE energy assessment that includes free and discounted products for your home. ComEd has partnered with natural gas utility to bring electric and natural gas savings to you.

https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourHome/Pages/SingleFamily.aspx

Smart Thermostat Rebates

The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program offers up to $100 in rebates on select smart thermostats. Instant rebates on ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats are available at ComEd Marketplace or shop where you prefer and apply for your rebate online. Rebate cannot exceed $100 per smart thermostat.

https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourHome/Pages/SmartThermostatRebates.aspx

Heating & Cooling Rebates

Upgrade your heating and cooling systems to boost your energy efficiency and save with ComEd Rebates when a ComEd Residential Trade Ally installs these home improvements.

https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourHome/Pages/HeatingCoolingRebates.aspx

Weatherization Rebates

ComEd customers have opportunities to reduce energy usage in their home by making qualifying, high-efficiency weatherization improvements.

https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourHome/Pages/WeatherizationRebates.aspx

Lighting Discounts

ComEd provides instant in-store discounts on select ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs (limit 24 per customer) and LED fixtures (limit 6).

https://www.comed.com/WaystoSave/ForYourHome/Pages/LightingDiscounts.aspx

Pool Pump Rebates

An ENERGY STAR® certified in-ground pool pump can save you about $2,000 over the lifetime of the product. The investment can pay for itself in less than two years - even sooner when you take advantage of the $275 ComEd rebate.

https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourHome/Pages/PoolPumpRebates.aspx

Nicor provides the follow programs to assist with improving energy efficiency and reducing your energy demand.

Free Energy Home Assessments

energySMART home assessments are available to customers living in a dwelling of four units or less. An Energy Advisor will walk through your home to understand it energy use.  You will received a personalized report detailing opportunities for saving energy and money. 

https://www.nicorgas.com/residential/ways-to-save/free-products-and-services.html

Rebates

Rebates for energy efficiency upgrades are available to all current residential Nicor Gas customers.  There are equipment rates qualifying furnaces and boilers. Additionally, there are also  air sealing and insulation rebates. 

https://www.nicorgas.com/residential/ways-to-save/rebates.html

Free Energy-Saving Kit

Nicor Gas customers can order a free energy-savings kit, which includes: 1 or 2 low-flow showerheads, 1 or 2 bathroom faucet aerators, 1 dual-spray kitchen faucet aerator, shower timer and plumber's tape.

https://www.nicorgas.com/residential/ways-to-save/free-products-and-services.html

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) provides the follow programs to assist with water conservation and reduce flooding.

Acquiring Your Rain Barrel

All Cook County residents can purchase a rain barrel (55 gallon plastic HDPE) for $45.78 (including tax) and this includes a flexible connecting elbow to attach your barrel to your downspout, a linking hose to connect it to a second barrel, detailed instructions, and free delivery to your home.  

https://mwrd.org/rain-barrels

Restore the Canopy - Plant a Tree

The Restore the Canopy program offers FREE Bur, Pin, Red, and Swamp White Oak saplings. As a form of green infrastructure, a medium-sized oak tree can help prevent flooding and improve water quality by absorbing 2,800 gallons of rainfall per year.

https://mwrd.org/restore-canopy

For more information on any of the below programs or to learn about additional recycling programs, please visit the Public Works Department's recycling programs webpage or contact the Public Works Department at (847) 870-5640.

The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) executed a recycling cart-tagging pilot in May 2022 and the Village of Mount Prospect participated in the program. The Program Report identified shipping packaging was the most prevalent contaminant in the sampled recycling carts in Mount Prospect’s study area. The shipping packaging contamination dropped by half by the end of the four-week program period. Public Works redesigned its recycling cart stickers as a result and the new stickers provide more guidance to residents on acceptable items for recycling. Updated cart stickers may be picked up at Public Works and will be available at the Public Works Open House.

Recycling flyer for the City of GreenvilleFor recyclable materials to have a second life, they must be clean and free from contaminants. What can you do to help prevent recycling contamination?

  • Check what you can put in your cart. Always look for a recycling label.
  • Only include acceptable items in your recycling cart.
  • Clean, empty and dry all your recyclable containers.
  • Keep your recyclables loose. No Plastic Bags!
  • Call (847-870-5640) or email (publicworksdept@mountprospect.org) Public Works if you have any questions.

Poster displaying common items prohibited in recycling binsThe Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) sponsors the follow programs to assist residential recycling.

Electronics Recycling 

SWANCC provides environmentally-responsible recycling programs for end-of-life computers and electronics for residents of its member communities and Mount Prospect is a member! There is a limit of seven items per household and no electronics can be accepted from municipalities, schools, businesses or institutions. 

Mount Prospect residents are able to participant in any SWANCC drop-off location with no fee.  Drop-off your computers and electrons at:

Glenview Transfer Station

  • 3 Providence Way, Des Plaines
  • Across from the Maryville Academy
  • Saturdays: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
  • Open Year-Round

Mount Prospect Public Works

  • 1700 W Central Rd
  • Wednesdays: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • April - October only

For additional drop-off locations and recycling information visit: SWANCC Recycling Page

Pharmaceutical/Sharps Disposal

The Cook County Sherriff's Prescription Drug Take Back Program is to assist residents throughout Cook County with proper disposal of unused and unexpired prescription drugs. No prescription drugs or sharps from businesses, schools or hospitals are accepted.     Residents can bring medications and sharps for disposal to the Public Works Department. IDs will be checked for verification of residency.

Fluorescent Bulb Recycling

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, known as CFLs, are quickly replacing incandescent bulbs due to their energy efficiency, reduction and cool-to-the-touch qualities. Mount Prospect though the SWANCC offers residents a recycling program for mercury-containing light bulbs.  This program is for residential generated CFLs and is not for commercial or industrial businesses.  A limit of 12 lights will be accept from a resident per visit. The Mount Prospect Public Works is a drop-off location.

  • Mount Prospect Public Works
  • 1700 W Central Road
  • (847) 870-5640
  • M-F: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Will take 4' fluorescent lights.

For additional drop-off locations and recycling information visit:

SWANCC sponsors even more recycling programs for Mount Prospect residents  such as Mercury Containing Thermometers.

For more information on any of these program or to learn about additional recycling programs, please visit the Public Works Department's recycling programs webpage or contact the Public Works Department at (847) 870-5640.