Wyndemere: A Leader in Being Green

As the first retirement community in the country to receive an Earth Flag, the Wyndemere Senior Living Campus is already a leader in keeping the community environmentally friendly.

Wyndemere’s ongoing recycling efforts extend far beyond reusing the traditional paper, plastic and aluminum to batteries, electronics, plant and nursery items as well as cell phones, eyeglasses and shoes. In fact, the Campus was awarded a plaque from Clean Air Counts, a Northeast Illinois regional initiative, for its work in reducing ozone-causing emissions on the Campus.

Led by resident Joanne East, Wyndemere’s recycling committee is made up of both residents and staff members. “We support Joanne and the recycling committee 100 percent,” said Steve Schultz, Wyndemere’s director of facilities. Three of his team members, Housekeeping Manager Lydia Nunez, Hospitality Services Coordinator Penny Schneider and Maintenance Manager Adam Musfelt, work closely with residents to keep the Campus green. Their efforts are really making a different at the community…and in the environment.

“Lydia worked with the recycling committee to switch to environmentally friendly cleaners, those with reduced emission of volatile organic compounds (voc),” said Steve. “As a result, we were able to reduce emissions by 8,568 pounds.”

The committee was also instrumental in switching to low flush toilets, compact fluorescent light bulbs and low voc paint. “Switching to low voc paint has reduced emissions by 1,505 pounds and our recycling efforts continue to expand across the Campus,” said Steve. “For example, we’re recycling approximately 16 cubic yards of plastics and paper products every week at Wynscape alone.”

Now, Wyndemere is setting its sights on planting native grasses to help stem pollution. Natural landscaping reduces landscape maintenance costs, improves storm water management, reduces air pollution and attracts a variety of birds, butterflies and other wildlife by providing diverse habitats and food sources “This spring, our recycling and building and grounds committee are expanding our planting of plants and grasses native to the Chicago region in a demo garden right on our Campus,” said Joanne.

The recycling committee is also working with staff to explore different options for take-out food containers from catering. “We’re educating all of our residents on the impact nonbiodegradable containers,” said Joanne.

Wyndemere’s recycling team is leading the way in preserving the environment for future generations. “We have to change the things we do and time is important,” said Joanne. “Each of us can make a difference everyday by reusing and recycling. What one person can do is really exciting.”