Aqua Employees beautify Busse Woods; collect plastic waste for Upcycling Program
Local volunteer event part of parent company’s month-long Earth Day celebration, donating $500,000 to support environmental initiatives throughout the month of April.
Aqua Illinois, an Essential Utilities company, celebrated Earth Day with a park clean-up on April 5, in partnership with Clean Up — Give Back, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a cleaner environment through community engagement and inclusion. Aqua employees collected 60 pounds of garbage from around Busse Woods in Cook County Forest Preserve and presented the nonprofit with a check for $250 to help further its mission.
This event was part of Essential Earth Day, a month-long celebration of volunteer events, donations and employee education opportunities to support the company’s mission of protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resources and investing in the communities it serves.
“We’re honored to sponsor Clean Up — Give Back for Earth Day 2024,” said Aqua Illinois President David Carter. “This collaboration not only symbolizes our steadfast dedication to environmental protection but also serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative impact we can achieve through collective action toward a more sustainable future.”
Busse Woods, known for its unusual combination of flat woods, upland forests and marshes, is a popular destination for hiking and wildlife observation. Aqua’s efforts help safeguard the future of the National Natural Landmark and promote responsible tourism by encouraging visitors to clean up after themselves and “leave no trace.”
“We’re grateful for partners like Aqua Illinois who help us expand the reach of our impact,” said Donna Adam, executive director, Clean Up — Give Back. “Their dedication to clean water and environmental protection aligns perfectly with our mission to create a healthier environment for our community. Together we can make a real difference and build a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”
In addition to the park clean-up, Aqua employees also collected pliable plastic bags and film throughout the month as part of the nonprofit’s plastic bag recycling program, which transforms this waste into usable composite decking and furniture.
Essential Earth Day is part of the company’s comprehensive commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. Since the initiative launched in 2022, Essential has donated $1.5 million and more than 800 employees have participated in over 70 events, logging 3,200 hours to support environmental causes, including litter cleanups, reforestation projects and other conservation efforts. Aqua Illinois provides water and wastewater service to approximately 280,000 people in 14 counties across Illinois. For information, visit AquaWater.com or follow @MyAquaWater on Facebook and Twitter (X).