Green Initiatives: Our Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Justice
In this post:
Introduction
Development
Waste & Recycling
Open Spaces
Transit & Infrastructure
In the 48th ward, we believe that everyone has the right to live in a sustainable and healthy environment with access to green spaces and outdoor recreation. Sustainability isn’t just a one-off clean-up event or an occasional reminder about how to recycle. It has to be part of everything we do from development, to infrastructure, to health & safety and beyond. In 2024, we established a 48th Ward Green Council, a group of neighbors committed to environmental justice who advise the alderwoman on policy. Last year, Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth was proud to receive a 100% rating on her voting record from the Illinois Environmental Coalition. We will continue to build upon this trust, demonstrating our commitment to the environment through policy and collective action. Read on to learn more about our sustainability and social justice work.
DEVELOPMENT
In the 48th Ward, we prioritize sustainable development that rises to and exceeds modern standards of density, decarbonization, and nature-friendly design. Read our full list of sustainable development priorities here.
Green Social Housing: Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth introduced and passed Green Social Housing, the largest investment in affordable housing and economic development in Chicago history. GSH is an innovative and proven financing model for mixed-incoming housing development whose benefits include minimum 30% affordable units, green building standards, and permanent affordability via a financially-independent revolving loan fund. Learn more here.
Density Near Transit: A truly sustainable neighborhood must include Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD), which enables all people regardless of income, race, ethnicity, age, gender, immigration status or ability to experience the benefits of dense, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development near transit hubs.
The 48th Ward champions ETOD through our sustainable development priorities, but also through proactive policy such as Broadway Land Use Framework. The framework and related zoning ordinances aim to streamline the development of dense, affordable housing near the newly remodeled red line stations which span our neighborhood. This framework has been endorsed by the Sierra Club, Elevated Chicago, Better Streets Chicago, and many more.
Landmarking Bryn Mawr: With support from Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth, the Chicago Landmarks Commission voted unanimously on April 2, 2026 to give preliminary landmark designation to the Bryn Mawr Historic District. The corridor is now undergoing the process to become one of over 60 officially landmarked districts in Chicago. Landmark district designation supports sustainable development by protecting historically significant buildings from teardown while also preserving a region’s culture and character.
Geothermal building at 952 W Carmen
LEED Certified Buildings: We are proud to support the development of two new LEED-certified buildings, including the 48th ward’s first geothermal building at 952 W Carmen. The Carmen is an 8-story, 77 unit LEED-certified building designed and constructed with sustainability in mind, focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials to minimize their environmental and health impact. In addition to geothermal / green energy, the building features EV parking spaces. The new development at 5891 N Ridge is a 4-story, 9 unit building designed and constructed with high-end sustainability certifications and green building practices.
Building Decarbonization (CABO): 60% of Chicago’s carbon emissions come from buildings. We stand behind legislation like the Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance (CABO) which aims to decarbonize by phasing gas/fossil fuel-based appliances out of new developments in Chicago. A transition away from fossil fuel combustion appliances would open up new jobs in the clean energy sector (electricians, HVAC installers, geothermal technicians, etc) and lower utility rates for the average consumer long term.
Green New Deal for Chicago Public Schools: Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth is a proud supporter of Sunrise Chicago’s Green New Deal for Chicago Public Schools (GND4CPS) Pledge for Elected Officials. By signing, Leni made a commitment to use her position to champion legislation and policies that will combat the climate crisis, build community resilience, and right historical injustices by investing in Chicago Public Schools, especially those on the South and West Sides.
The plan includes things like retrofitting/weatherizing CPS buildings for maximum efficiency, providing students with paths to careers in sustainability, designating schools as community relief zones during severe weather, and establishing a climate justice curriculum.
WASTE & RECYCLING
To reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our landfills, we must adopt a circular economy approach, where materials are used and reused continuously. In the 48th Ward we aim to make this approach more accessible for everyone through a variety of recycling and composting initiatives.
Electronics Recycling & Compost Fair: The 48th Ward office has hosted four electronics recycling events allowing neighbors to safely dispose of e-waste and other hard-to-recycle materials including prescription medication. These events allow us to ensure that harmful materials are diverted from landfills and water sources. On May 10, 2025, we hosted a combined electronics recycling and compost fair. In addition to disposing of e-waste, neighbors had the opportunity to talk with city representatives about free food scrap drop-off and with compost service providers about sustainable food waste disposal at home.
Holiday Waste Reduction: The holidays are an opportunity for warmth, joy, and togetherness, but they can also produce additional waste from food, decorations, and gifts. The 48th Ward works with city services and local organizations to promote seasonal sustainability initiatives. These include:
Holiday Lights Recycling: Each year we partner with Reduce Waste Chicago to collect broken holiday lights at our office for recycling. 4,227 pounds of lights were diverted from landfills across the city in 2025-2026 alone.
Pumpkin Smash: Pumpkin smash events are a fun way for neighbors to come together and compost their fall pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. In previous years, we have partnered with the Edgewater Environmental Coalition and the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce on local pumpkin smash events
Holiday Tree Recycling: At the beginning of each year, the City of Chicago provides Holiday Tree Recycling at parks across the city. At certain sites, neighbors can also collect free mulch made from the recycled trees. Our office proudly promotes this service and advocates for tree recycling locations in the ward. 23,500 trees were recycled via this service in 2026.
Free Composting Bins & Rain Barrels: Occasionally, the city offers free compost bins and rain barrels at events or by application. We are committed to promoting these opportunities when they arise and advocating for more free sustainability resources for our neighbors. Through these initiatives we have delivered dozens of free compost bins and rain barrels to 48th ward neighbors.
OPEN SPACES
The 48th Ward is blessed by its proximity to the lakefront which keeps us cool in the summer and provides endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. We’re committed to protecting the natural beauty of our lakefront and other parks through both policy and community action.
Clean-ups: We are proud to have so many organizations in the 48th Ward committed to keeping our neighborhood and lakefront clean. These include the Edgewater Environmental Coalition’s regular beach clean-ups, block club litter abatement, and the city’s Earth Day Clean & Greens which are led by groups of neighbors. Our office has consistently promoted these efforts in our newsletter and on social media and provided materials like shovels and garbage bags when necessary.
Trash Cans: We aim to avoid litter before it creates the need for a clean-up. Have you noticed additional trash bins in the 48th ward? Uptown’s SSA 34 has expanded their trash bin program by adding new bins and increasing pick-up frequency. All 12 bins are emptied four times a week. Andersonville’s SSA22 has 37 new trash bins thanks to a $115,200 investment from our office along with the 40th and 47th wards.
Nature Play Space on Elmdale: In June 2026, we cut the ribbon on the Senn Park Nature Play Space, one of our 2024 Participatory Budgeting winners! This project was designed by kids, for kids, and championed by Families Together Cooperative Nursery School based on the belief that children should have the opportunity for spontaneous, self-guided nature-based fun! Read more about the project here.
Swift Nature Play Area: During our 2026 Participatory Budgeting Process, neighbors voted to fund a natural play area at Swift Elementary School on Winthrop to support their youngest students. Soon, an existing gated grassy space on the property will be transformed into an area with natural elements such as logs, rocks, and vegetation for unstructured play.
Trees: Our team works closely with the Bureau of Forestry (BoF), Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Chicago Park District (CPD) to plant and maintain trees. In 2025, 131 total trees were planted in the ward. Recently, our team surveyed the entire ward with the CDOT forestry team to identify opportunities for new trees along major corridors, emphasizing the need for sturdy, native tree species. Read more here. In addition to tree planting, the 48th Ward supports tree care and maintenance:
Openlands TreeKeepers program: The ward office regularly encourages people interested in our tree canopy to explore the Openlands TreeKeepers Program which offers tree lovers of all ages and backgrounds accessible training and education on how to build a more resilient urban forest. We are one of the top wards for TreeKeepers in the city.
Reminders to Water Parkway Trees: When new trees are planted in parkways in the Spring and early Summer, we remind neighbors to water them regularly to help them survive their first harsh Chicago heat. New trees require 10-15 gallons a week!
Heritage Trees: Edgewater defines heritage trees as those that are more than 50 years old. The 48th Ward is blessed with thousands of these giants scattered throughout the community. In previous years, we have supported and promoted the Edgewater Historical Society and local block clubs in their efforts to survey and celebrate our local heritage trees. In 2023, over 2,300 heritage trees had already been surveyed.
TRANSIT & INFRASTRUCTURE
The 48th Ward is committed to transit and green infrastructure solutions that allow all our neighbors to access safe, organized roadways and alleys. We’re working to replace hostile elements of the built environment with solutions that are compatible with human activity and natural ecosystems.
Bike Infrastructure: Everyone is safer when we organize our streets. One means of organization is the bike grid: the network of bike lanes that allows cyclists to safely traverse the city. We’ve filled gaps in the bike grid via projects like the Berwyn Greenway, Granville Traffic Calming. We also perform regular bike lane maintenance, including ensuring that bike lanes are repainted when streets are resurfaced. To encourage cycling in the ward, we’ve secured 12 new Divvy stations throughout the ward!
Pedestrian Safety: Our multifaceted approach to pedestrian safety includes traffic calming measures such as bump-outs, raised intersections, speed cameras, and accessible pedestrian signals. In addition to these car-focused initiatives, we’re also targeting unsafe bicycle and e-scooter behavior, especially on busy roadways like Sheridan. We are advocating for geofencing Sheridan Road to prevent illegal cycling on our sidewalks. Geofencing technology slows electric scooters and bikes, eventually bringing them to a halt after they leave the service zone. If the geofencing along Sheridan Road is approved, Lime scooters, and Divvy bikes would not be able to operate when they reach the Sheridan Road sidewalks.
DuSable Lake Shore Drive with Chicago skyline in the distance, Photo Credit: Ken Campbell
Transit: Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth joined the other northside lakefront alders to call for work on the ReDefine the Drive project to be halted, pointing out that any improvements to DLSD should make lake access safer and easier, improve safety and accessibility of non-car transit like bikes and trains, and be completed with sustainability in mind. The letter champions modern solutions that prioritize non-car travel, and opposes all plans that fail to incorporate mass transit elements such as buses or light rail. Read the letter here.
Green Alley Bounded by Wayne, Glenwood, Hollywood, and Bryn Mawr before and after construction
Green Alleys: Many of Chicago’s 1,900 miles of public alleys are not connected to the city’s storm sewer system and are prone to flooding. Every year, the 48th Ward office funds one new green alley which improves stormwater drainage, reduces heat, and conserves energy using methods such as permeable pavement, recycled materials, and underground water detention.
Lead Service Line Replacements: Chicago’s legacy lead service lines (LSLs) are still found in nearly 400,000 primarily single-family and two-flat residences. In the 48th Ward, we work with neighbors to get their LSLs replaced for absolutely free when the city is doing work on local sewer and water mains. In 2025, we replaced 100 LSLs during construction on Ridge, and in 2026, we plan to replace more as part of a water main replacement project on Bryn Mawr/Sheridan.
