Everyone is going “green” in Shorewood

Shorewood is an eco-conscious community where village government supports “green” efforts. Shorewood’s Conservation Committee works in partnership with the Village, local businesses, Shorewood Schools and residents to implement environmentally friendly practices.

Village Government Action

Shorewood has passed a resolution to become an eco-municipality, joining several dozen other Wisconsin cities to measure the sustainability of decisions that affect the health of our families and our planet. An action plan includes reducing dependence on fossil fuels (and extracted underground metals and minerals), chemicals and other manufactured substances that can accumulate in nature, and dependence on activities that harm life-sustaining ecosystems.

Good things are happening as the plan takes shape. Recycling, once just residential pick-up, now includes receptacles on Village properties and parks, at our schools and on Shorewood’s main streets. The Village has also switched to a natural lawn care program to improve the health and safety of our residents, pets and our valuable lake and river. Cleaning supplies are also being changed to more eco-friendly products.

2010 Green Leaf Award Winners

Business Action

The Green Leaf Award was developed by the Conservation Committee to encourage local businesses to take steps toward a more sustainable way of operating their businesses. Concerns include energy, transportation, waste reduction, water and air quality, responsible purchasing, building and remodeling, food, and education. Business owners recognize that greening their businesses helps attract new customers and develops a loyal customer base, while creating a healthier work environment. Businesses can also improve their bottom line by delivering a more environmentally responsible product to their customers. When a Shorewood business meets specified criteria it receives a Green Leaf Award.

Who is eligible to participate?

Any building owner who rents to businesses in Shorewood, and any business that rents space in Shorewood for their business. Businesses interested in participating in the Green Leaf Program can contact Mike Hawes, special projects coordinator-Village of Shorewood, at 414.847.2706 or e-mail mhawes@villageofshorewood.org.

Congratulations to the 2010 Green Leaf Award Winners

2010 Green Leaf Award Winners
  • CYGA, 3575 N. Oakland Ave.
  • Gardens by Garland, 3610 N. Oakland Ave.
  • Garden Room, 2107 E. Capitol Dr.
  • Grande Flowers, 1433 E. Capitol Dr.
  • SHOP, 1918 E. Capitol Dr.
  • Stone Creek Coffee, 4106 N. Oakland Ave.

School Action

Shorewood School District support of a “greener” community includes the addition of solar panels to District buildings and community organic gardens on District land that are used by responsible citizens and groups to grow their own food. Green projects in our schools include Shorewood Intermediate School students holding a green event when they took a “lunch break” from their typical day’s usage of 125 polystyrene plates, and instead, used a paper plate made from pre-consumer recycled fiber for their hot lunches.

Resident Action

During the holiday season, Shorewood residents have had the opportunity to get their live evergreen trees “chipped” at the DPW facility, diverting them from a landfill and instead, sending them for composting. The Conservation Committee also offers a mentoring program for Village residents who want to implement a home composting system to turn yard waste, fruit/veggie scraps and coffee grounds into nutrient-rich soil and keep solid food waste out of the landfill.

Other initiatives include embarking on a “leave the leaves” campaign to increase leaf mulching by residents, rather than raking to the curb for pick up by the DPW (saving time/labor/energy of DPW staff). In addition, our residents continue to use their popular Shorewood “green” bags (distributed free to each household in 2008) for shopping.

A variety of special educational events are staged on an ongoing basis by the Conservation Committee. Recent topics have included natural lawn care, composting 101, rain garden and rain barrel usage, and an Earth Day celebration.