Des Plaines encourages residents to go green

Des Plaines leaders are urging residents to go green, emphasizing cost-effective, high-efficiency products and services provided by the city and other agencies.

Representatives of Des Plaines' Deep Green, ComEd Smart Ideas Program and the Nicor Energy Efficiency Program will conduct a presentation called "Save Green While Going Green" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St.

The program, supported by the city, the library and the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will begin with an overview of Deep Green.

City officials will review environmentally friendly city services, including curbside residential recycling, electronic recycling, and drop-off accommodations for batteries, tires and fluorescent bulbs.

Nicor and ComEd representatives will explain how their programs work. Nicor offers rebates for residential and commercial customers and several other energy-efficiency programs. ComEd's energy-efficient residential programs focus on lighting, appliance recycling and air conditioning. For more information, visit nicorgasrebates.com and comed.com/smartideas.

"It is encouraging to know that there are financially advantageous programs available for upgrading homes and offices with items such as energy-efficient furnaces and water heaters," said Des Plaines 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten, chairman of Des Plaines Deep Green.

Ecohabitat, a green building group, will present environmentally proactive suggestions to save money and allow homeowners to improve the value of their homes, increase demand, reduce the sale period and pay off their mortgages faster.

There will be an opportunity for questions and answers after the presentation. No registration is required.