Environmental Commission

Regular Meeting

Arlington Heights, IL · September 16, 2025

Minutes

Village of Arlington Heights Environmental Commission Minutes from September 16, 2025 I. Call to Order Chair Jordan called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. II. Roll Call Present Not Present Chair Jordan Commissioner Sawyer Commissioner Porwit Commissioner Skrudland Commissioner Jaeschke Commissioner Flores Commissioner Eisenhardt Also Present Jeff Bohner, Staff Liaison Cheryl Waymann, Southminster Presbyterian Church member Barb Taylor, Southminster Presbyterian Church member II. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Flores moved to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2025, Environmental Commission meeting. Commissioner Eisenhardt seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. III. Reports IV. Old Business Chair Jordan asked for updates on the Commission projects. A. Education on how to recycle- Commissioner Eisenhardt shared a list of recycling educational resources she had found. She thought the recycle coach app and web tool was the most beneficial for explaining what could be recycled, while Groot’s website was poorly organized and not maintained. The Commission wanted to contact Groot to get more up to date information available. Commissioner Eisenhardt also provided a list of other environmental organizations in the Village, including schools, churches and the Park District. There was a discussion about keeping the list current and sending it to the group as updates became available. B. Tracking metrics to be published on VAH website- Commissioner Porwit reported that he had added information for solid waste generated in 2024 to the graphic and submitted it to the Communication Manager for posting to the Village website. There had been an 18% drop in solid waste generated since 2017. C. Benchmark Single-Use plastics- Chair Jordan had shared an updated draft report on the topic. It began with why reducing single-use plastics was important and the lack of current recycling infrastructure. A discussion of state reduction programs was next, followed by the programs local communities have implemented. The report included a recommendation for a single-use plastic bag ban and fee on single-use paper bags. A recommendation was also included to obtain a baseline number of bags used prior to any implementation to judge the effectiveness. The Chair asked the Commissioners for any changes or edits. There were some minor changes offered. Commissioner Eisenhardt moved to approve the report, as amended, and forward to the Village Board. Commissioner Jaeschke seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. D. Livestream event Commissioner Flores reported that he had met with the library and they had agreed to host and help with the event next summer. The library will outsource the video and recording of the event, but will help with funding. Sponsors and donations will also be needed. Commissioner Flores moved to use the Commission’s 2026 budget to help fund the livestream event at the library. Commissioner Porwit seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. E. Public Event Education- Commissioner Porwit spoke about the recent work as greeters at the farmers market. The event had gone well and another 100 reusable shopping bags had been distribted. F. Increase participation in Curbside Composting- The programs had been promoted at the farmers market and had been mentioned on the Village social channels over the summer. G. Re-use Event- The Chair said this event could be held in conjunction with the livestream event. V. New Business Commissioner Eisenhardt suggested a member watch the Village Board meetings for topics that might involve the Commission. Chair Jordan suggested a rotation of members. VII. Other Business The Commissioners agreed to meet again on October 21. Commissioner Jaeschke announced he would be resigning as soon as a replacement could be appointed for him. The other members thanked him for his work and dedication. VIII. Adjournment With no further business to discuss a motion was made by Commissioner Eisenhardt to adjourn. Commissioner Porwit seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Agenda

Packet

AGENDA Environmental Commission Commissions Room Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 September 16, 2025 7:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. August 12th, 2025 Minutes IV. REPORTS A. Education on how to recycle B. Tracking metrics to be published on VAH website C. Benchmark Single-Use plastics (include review of proposed state regulation) D. Livestream event w/ theme with interviews with: Groot, local farmers, local govt officials, add AH-specific info E. Farmer's Market education F. Re-use Component in an exisiting event G. Increase participation in curbside composting V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. IX. ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact the Health & Human Services Department, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, healthmail@vah.com or 847/368-5760. Page 1 of 4 Page 2 of 4 Village of Arlington Heights Environmental Commission Minutes from August 12, 2025 I. Call to Order Chair Jordan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. II. Roll Call Present Not Present Chair Jordan Commissioner Sawyer Commissioner Porwit Commissioner Eisenhardt Commissioner Jaeschke Commissioner Flores Commissioner Skrudland Also Present Jeff Bohner, Staff Liaison II. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Skrudland moved to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2025, Environmental Commission meeting. Commissioner Porwit seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. III. Reports IV. Old Business Chair Jordan asked for updates on these Commission projects. A. Education on how to recycle- There was no update. B. Tracking metrics to be published on VAH website- Commissioner Porwit reported that he had a proposed metrics page developed and would be forwarding it to the liaison to test on the Village website. C. Benchmark Single-Use plastics- Chair Jordan shared a draft report on the topic. It began with why reducing single- use plastics was important and the lack of current recycling infrastructure. A discussion of federal and state reduction programs was next, followed by local community efforts. This section included Park Ridge, whose board had asked staff to write language for a single-use bag ban just this month. The Chair asked the Commissioners for opinions on what the recommendations at the end of the report should be. Commissioner Skrudland asked if any recommendations from the Commission should be for all single-use plastics, including things like plastic utensils, or just plastic bags? Commissioner Porwit responded that his research indicated that utensils comprised only ten percent of single-use plastic streams, so just targeting bags would be adequate. Both Commissioners agreed that there needs to be good baseline numbers of bags used and/recycled before any fees or bans so the impact could be measured. Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Porwit said the recommendation should be for a single-use plastic bag ban, since it would be more effective than a fee. Commissioner Flores said a fee would still allow customers to have a choice, but still reduce bag use. Commissioner Jaeschke and Chair Jordand said a ban would be better, . Chair Jordan asked the Commissioners to read the draft she had sent them and make any changes or recommendations to send back to her. D. Livestream event Commissioner Flores reported that the library had said no space would be available until 2026 and the event must be held jointly with the library. E. Public Event Education- Commissioner Porwit reminded the Commissioners that were scheduled to work as greeters at the farmers market on September 6th on August 23rd. F. Increase participation in Curbside Composting- The program will be promoted at the farmers market as mentioned previously. G. Re-use Event- The Chair asked Commissioners to think of larger spaces where such an event could be held. V. New Business VII. Other Business The Commissioners agreed to meet again on September 16. Commissioner Skrudland mentioned the Village Board had recently discussed topics of discussion for the upcoming year, one of which was electric vehicle charging in multi- family buildings. The Commission was listed as a possible source of research. VIII. Adjournment With no further business to discuss a motion was made by Commissioner Flores to adjourn. Commissioner Porwit seconded the Motion. The Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. Page 4 of 4