Skip to main content
Home > Sustainability

Sustainability

Morton Grove remains committed to sustainability through community-driven initiatives, including the Sustainability Expo, Electronic Waste Recycling Event, Pumpkin Smash, and tree preservation programs.

The Village is also investing in projects that advance long-term efficiency and connectivity. The new Morton Grove Metra Station will improve transit access for residents and visitors, while the Dempster Street Corridor Plan will establish a unified vision for transit-oriented development, retail, and housing along this vital corridor.

Through education, resource protection, and conservation programs — and with the guidance of the Environment and Natural Resources Commission — Morton Grove is moving toward a greener, healthier future. Together, we can keep building a community that is both strong and sustainable.

Sustainability Outreach and Initiatives

The Environment and Natural Resources Commission (ENRC) assists the Village Board’s efforts to promote the conservation, preservation, improvement, and protection of the environment and natural resources of the Village. The Commission meets on the first Monday of every other month beginning in February at 6:00 p.m. at Village Hall (6101 Capulina Avenue). Information on the ENRC’s many programs, initiatives, and events is provided below.

The Morton Grove Sustainability Expo is a free, family-friendly event held in September that brings the community together to explore practical ways to live greener. Featuring local businesses, organizations, and Village initiatives, the Expo highlights sustainable products, services, and everyday actions that support environmental conservation. From recycling and energy efficiency to landscaping and waste reduction, the event offers residents and businesses valuable resources and inspiration to help build a more sustainable Morton Grove. For more information about this year’s Sustainability Expo, visit mortongroveil.org/ENRCexpo.

2026 Sustainability Expo
Saturday, September 19, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Morton Grove Civic Center
6140 Dempster Street, Morton Grove

The Morton Grove Adopt-A-Block Program, made possible by the Environment and Natural Resources Commission, empowers residents, businesses, and organizations to help beautify their community, starting with their own block. The Village provides free tools and resources, and you and your neighbors commit to keeping your block free of litter. Become a Block Captain and help contribute to a cleaner and greener Morton Grove! If everyone does a little bit, it makes a huge difference. Visit mortongroveil.org/adopt-a-block to learn more and sign up.

The Village of Morton Grove encourages and invites residents and local businesses to participate in the Greener Morton Grove Award Program, recognizing meaningful efforts that support a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable community. Five winners will be announced at the 2026 Morton Grove Sustainability Expo. Award categories include: 

  1. Green Home Award: For residents who demonstrate outstanding sustainable practices at home: energy efficiency, composting, native landscaping, EV adoption, water conservation, stormwater solutions, and more. 
  2. Sustainable Business Award: For businesses reducing waste, conserving energy, improving recycling, supporting green purchasing, or modeling environmentally responsible operations.
  3. Climate & Energy Leadership Award: Recognizing projects that reduce carbon emissions or improve energy performance, such as solar installations, electrification, HVAC upgrades, and LED transitions.
  4. Green Landscaping & Habitat Award: For properties using native plants, pollinator-friendly practices, tree stewardship, and innovative stormwater management.
  5. Community Impact Award: For individuals, groups, schools, or organizations advancing sustainability through outreach, education, or community projects.

Eligibility 

  • Open to residents, businesses, multi-family buildings, schools, faith communities, and organizations within Morton Grove. 
  • Projects or practices must have been implemented within the last two years.
  • Self-nominations and community nominations are welcome. 

Submission Period: April 2026 – August 2026 

How to Apply or Nominate: Complete the Greener Morton Grove Awards Nomination Form. 

Village staff, the Environment and Natural Resources Commission, and Village partners continue to work collaboratively to implement the Morton Grove Sustainability Plan. The Village Board adopted the Plan in January 2021 as a guide to the Village’s efforts toward creating a more sustainable community and region from 2020 to 2030. The plan sets forth the Village’s goals and priority strategies in the areas of climate, economic development, energy, land, mobility, municipal operations, waste, and water. The Plan continues to serve as a guide and framework for Village decision-making and ENRC efforts.

Morton Grove’s tree canopy is a critical part of local infrastructure and the community. Trees beautify Village streets, shade homes and businesses, enhance property values, reduce stormwater runoff and local flooding, improve air and water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, create buffering between land uses, and improve overall quality of life for residents. Morton Grove’s canopy is made up of all trees located within the Village’s municipal boundary, including trees on public streets, in public parks, in the forest preserves, and on private property. These trees offer a myriad of benefits and are a source of local pride. The Village maintains a dedicated webpage that outlines the benefits of trees, provides updates on local tree regulations, and offers tree education resources at mortongroveil.org/trees.

The Village of Morton Grove is a community member of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), an intergovernmental agency that facilitates the delivery of effective and environmentally sound collection, transfer, processing, disposal, and reuse of municipal waste. SWANCC’s website at swancc.org provides a variety of helpful information on waste and recycling, including:

  • What Goes Where: A guide on how and where to recycle or dispose of specific items and materials.
  • Recycle Coach: An online tool and app that helps users discover “What Goes Where” and provides collection schedules and useful information.
  • One-Day Events: A schedule of all SWANCC collection events, which are open to Morton Grove residents.
  • Curbside Guidelines: A one-page guide to curbside recycling in the community available in English and Spanish.

Engaging kids in sustainability efforts is crucial for shaping a future where they understand and value environmental responsibility, ensuring a healthier planet for generations to come. Download the Earth Month Activity Book to celebrate Earth Month and get kids thinking about the importance of caring for our Earth.

The Environment and Natural Resources Commission (ENRC) relies on the dedication of volunteers and sincerely thanks everyone who has contributed to past events. By generously giving their time and energy, these community members have helped create a cleaner, more sustainable Morton Grove for all. If you are interested in signing up to volunteer at future events, please sign up at mortongroveil.org/volunteer.