“Green For A Reason” Receives Recognition

“Green For A Reason” is the motto of the Village of Rosemont’s waste reduction program developed by Bright Beat. After successful implementation at Allstate Arena and two other sporting facilities, we adapted the program for the Village’s showcase development: (MB Financial) Park at Rosemont. In 2013, this entertainment district and its tenants diverted over 440 tons from landfills, including 210 tons of mixed recyclables, 126 tons of food scrap, 52 tons of cardboard and 52 tons of spent grain – recycled as cattle feed. And we are proud to report – our “Green For A Reason” Program earned State and Federal awards, receiving the 2014 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award Honorable Mention along with a 2014 U.S. EPA Food Recovery Challenge Award.

This variety of entertainment venues and restaurants, which attract over 1.2 million people per year, presented an opportunity to unify sustainability practices, build route density and prove the feasibility and benefits of a comprehensive waste reduction program – including food scrap diversion. This collective participation has resulted in the park reducing the largest percentage of food waste in its sector nationwide – roughly 126 tons of food waste diverted from the landfill in 2013. Bright Beat congratulates the Park and the other 2014 Illinois recipients.

View the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award press release here.

And, my favorite shot of Park tenants going green… Hofbräuhaus Chicago Cellerman Hayes Cooper preparing spent grains for donation to a local farmer for cattle feed: