Chicago guide

The Chicago Greenheart Guide connects Chicagoans to socially and environmentally responsible businesses and organizations that provide ethical green products and services. A Green business is a business that operates in a way that solves, rather than causes, social and environmental problems. This guide is an on-going work in progress. If you have a business you think should be listed here, let us know! info@greenheartshop.org

Friends of Greenheart                     Sustainable Beverages

Fair Trade Stores                              100% Fair Trade Coffee Shops

Sustainable Food Sources              CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture)

Farmers Markets                              Green Home Supplies

Recycling Services                          Transportation

Dry Cleaning Services                     Printing Services  

Friends of Greenheart:

Natural Herbal Solutions
Dr. Ridley, certified Naturopath and Naprapath
770 N LaSalle Dr
312.951.9665

Blissfolds Yoga
Children and family yoga classes
www.blissfolds.com

Yoga Now
All eco-constructed yoga studio
www.yoganowchicago.com

Bodyworks by Bonita Transformation Program
www.EatingforBeautySuperfoods.com

Sweet Dreams
Organic bakery
http://sweetdreamsorganicbakery.com/index.html


Our Favorite Sustainable Beverages:

Steller Organics Fair Trade Wine
www.stellerorganics.com 

Metropolitan Beer
Local Chicago Brewery
www.metrobrewing.com

Half Acre Beer (brewed locally)
www.halfacrebeer.com 

Koval Distillery
Chicago's only boutique distillery
www.koval-distillery.com

Steaz Tea (fair trade)
www.steazenergy.com


Fair Trade Stores:

♥ Greenheart Shop 
1911 W. Division
312.264.1625

Andersonville Galleria
5247 N Clark St.
773.878.8570
www.andersonvillegalleria.com

Fair Trader
1623 E 55th St.
773.966.5269
www.thefairtraderchicago.com

Maya Essence
4357 N Lincoln Ave.
773.661.6947 

100% Fair Trade Coffee Shops:

Blue Max Coffee
26 N Lathrop Ave. (Forest Park)
708.366.9224
www.bluemaxcoffee.com

Flying Saucer Cafe
1123 N California Ave.
773.342.9076

Hidden Peral Cafe
1060 E 47th St.
773.285.1211

Heartland Cafe
7000 N Glenwood Ave.
773.465.8005
www.heartlandcafe.com

Swim Cafe
1357 W Chicago Ave.
312.492.8600
www.swimcafe.com

Third World Cafe
1301 E 53rd St.
773.288.3882

Sustainable Food Stores & Sources:

Chicago's Downtown Farmstand
66 E Randolph St.
312.742.8419
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/attractions/tourism/chicago_s_downtown.html 

Newleaf Natural Grocery
1261 W Loyola Ave
773.743.0400
www.newleafnatural.net 

Green Grocer
1402 W Grand Ave.
312.624.9508
www.greengrocerchicago.com 

Dill Pickle
Opening soon in Logan Square (3039 W Fullerton Ave)
http://dillpicklefoodcoop.org

Julie's Organic Groceries
4301 N Whipple
773.539.8293

True Nature Foods
6034 N Broadway
773.465.6400
www.truenaturefoods.com

Bon Sante Natural Health Food Store
1512 E 53rd St.
773.667.5700

Kramers Health Foods
230 S Wabash Ave
312.922.0077

CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture):

Fresh Picks
5625 W Howard St., Niles, IL
847.410.0595
www.freshpicks.com

Irv and Shelley's Fresh Picks offers year-round home delivery in the Chicago area of local and organic produce, meat, dairy, and eggs. You can order online anytime to choose the specific items you want, or opt for a Fresh Picks Box that is automatically delivered to your door weekly or bi-weekly.


Angelic Organics
1547 Rockton, Caledonia, IL
815.389.2746
www.angelicorganics.com

John Peterson's biodynamic farm offers two basic CSA subscriptions and about a dozen drop-off locations for its 1,350 members. A 20-week vegetable share, running from mid-June through the end of October, is $580 (sold out for 2009); a 12-week vegetable share, running from mid-August through the end of October, is $410. Fruit shares and a winter share of vegetable boxes delivered every two weeks in November and December are also available.


Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm
1985 N 3609th, Ottawa, IL
815.431.9544
www.cedarvalleysustainable.com

Cedar Valley is a third-generation farm that also raises grass-fed livestock. A 24-week vegetable delivery costs $500. A three-month meat delivery costs $255 and includes enough pork, poultry, and beef for 12 to 15 meals.

Genesis Growers
8373 E 3000 South, Saint Anne, IL
815.953.1512
www.genesis-growers.com

Farmer Vicki Westerhoff distributes fresh produce and eggs to over 200 local families in Chicago & Northern Illinois. Her impressive schedule spans 38 weeks, with drop-offs in Chicago, Oak Park, Forest Park, Wheaton, Mokena, and Highland Park. A nine-week spring share, running from the first week of April through the end of May, is $255 for a medium share and $380 for a large share. The 22-week summer share is $895 and runs from June through the end of October; a smaller summer share costs $600. A nine-week fall share, starting in early November and running through Christmas, costs $200 for a medium share and $300 for a large share.


Grass is Greener Gardens
W8473 Smock Valley, Monroe, WI
608.966.1128
www.grassisgreenergardens.com

Using sustainable and organic methods, Grass is Greener Gardens raises lamb, chicken, eggs, produce, herbs and cut flowers. Orders generally include two whole chickens and two pounds of lamb chops, plus a beef roast and two pounds of ground beef and steak from neighboring Marr's Valley View Farms. A large meat and poultry share is $785; medium is $625; and a small share is $495. A poultry only share is $390.


Green Earth Institute
10S404 Knoch Knolls, Naperville, IL
630.664.5681
www.greenearthinstitute.org

Green Earth Institute is a nonprofit that promotes nutritional health and environmental sustainability. They have an organic farm as a demonstration and learning center, where they grow healthful vegetables in an eco friendly way. There is no delievery, but pickup days are Tuesdays and Fridays; subscribers are encouraged to combine their orders. Twenty-week shares, running from mid-June through late October, are $640; bi-weekly shares are available for $345. Volunteering is encouraged. 


Growing Home
1325 S Wabash, Suite 205
312.435.8601
www.growinghomeinc.org
Growing Home is a nonprofit that provides job training through organic farming. Vegetable shares are grown on a ten-acre certified-organic farm in downstate Marseilles as well as at two south-side Chicago locations. Four pick up sites around the city. A 20-week share, running from June 8 through October 5, is $580. Four-week spring and fall season extenders are available for $145. 


Growing Power's Rainbow Farmers Cooperative
1741 N Western Ave.
773.347.1374
http://www.growingpower.org/rainbow_farmers_coop.htm

Growing Power, an urban farm-training program, has baskets of conventional sustainable produce available year-round for $17 a week ($9 for half baskets); family-size boxes are also available for $26. There are 12 drop-off sites throughout the city. Subscribers are encouraged to prepay and volunteers are welcome.


Home Grown Wisconsin
313 W Beltline Hwy., Suite 37, Madison, WI
608.333.1227
www.homegrownwisconsin.com

Home Grown Wisconsin is a cooperative of 25 family farms of Southeastern and South Central Wisconsin, where they use organic and sustainable agricultural practices. A 20-week share from mid-June through late October is $600; bi-weekly is $335. Egg shares are also available for $42 for 10 deliveries of one dozen eggs delivered every other week.


King's Hill Farm
19370 Hwy. G, Mineral Point, WI
608.776.8413
www.kingshillfarm.com

King's Hill Farm delivers year-round, growing its own vegetables from July to October and purchasing from other growers and distributers the rest of the year. A 20-week full share delievered every week is $700; a 20-week half share delievered bi-weekly is $350. A fall/winter share from November through December is $140. King's HIll Farm has partnered with the Chicago Botanic Gardens to use the Chicago Botanic Gardens as a CSA pick-up location.


M's Organic Farm
14101 Washington, Woodstock, IL
815.338.8148
http://msorganicfarm.com

M's offers a limited number of shares for Sunday pickup at the Logan Square Farmers Market. The 18-week share from June through the end of October is $450 (veggie only), or $490.50 for veggie plus egg share.  A half share with eggs is $310.50.

 
Montalbano Farms
630.882.8008
www.montalbanofarms.com 

Montalbano Farms is a certified organic small farm in Marseilles, producing an amazing variety of fresh, locally grown produce for the Chicagoland area. For 2009, they will be taking a short-term leave and will return serving the Chicagoland region in 2010. For more information about this leave, please visit the Montalbano Farms website.


New Leaf Natural Grocery
1261 W Loyola
773.743.0400
www.newleafnatural.net

New Leaf, a grocery store and wholesaler focused on affordable organics and local producers, offers boxes for pickup 360 days a year; providers include Home Grown Wisconsin. Prices range from $15 to $33 per box depending on size and type; you must order three days in advance.


On-the-Fly Farms
Chicago and Union Pier, Michigan
www.chicorycenter.org/

A project of the Chicory Center, a grassroots Chicago organization advocating for a "poor people's food justice movement," On-the-Fly grows vegetables and procurs free-range eggs, fruit, and pickles from low-income local farmers. A subscription also funds one donated box a month for a Chicago community organization. A 15-week delivery starts in June and costs $400. 


Sandhill Organics
32140 N Harris Rd., Grayslake, Illinois
847.548.4030
www.sandhillorganics.com 

In addition to selling shares, Sandhill Organics hawks its goods Saturdays at Chicago's Green City Market and the Oak Park Farmers' Market. A summer vegetable share runs from June to October and costs $490; spring, fall/winter, fruit and flower shares are also available.
 

Scotch Hill Farm
910 Scotch Hill, Brodhead, Wisconsin
608.897.4288
www.scotchhillfarm.com 

Scotch Hill Farm, in its 15th season, is moving toward organic certification. In addition to produce it sells goat-milk soaps and a limited quantity of eggs. Subscriptions run 20 weeks, from mid-June through mid-October, for $560. A ten-week flower share is available for $90. Reuse and recycling of grocery bags is encouraged. One farm visit a year is requested.


Sweet Earth Organic Farm
P.O. Box 323, Wauzeka, Wisconsin
608.875.6026
www.sweetearthorganicfarm.com

Renee Randall, an organic farmer since 1974, has been running a CSA off her 120-acre farm for six years. Full shares, running about 20 weeks, cost $485, and start in late June; a partial share is $385.
 

Farmers Markets:

Growing season schedule:

May: leafy greens, green onions, radishes
June: asparagus, peas, rhubarb, strawberries
July: blueberries, cucumbers, raspberries, summer squash, snap beans
August: blackberries, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn
September: apples, beets, carrots, melons, potatoes
October: cabbage, leafy greens, winter squash

*Check with the City for locations for 2009 markets: www.explorechicago.org


Green Home Supplies:

Colori Chicago (eco-friendly paint)
2243 W North Ave
773.252.4923
www.colorichicago.com/

Green Maker Supply
2500 N Pulaski Rd.
773.384.7500
www.greenmakersupply.com/


Recycling Services:

Chicago Recycling Coalition
www.chicagorecycling.org

Below is a list of where to recycle various home items. For more information, please visit the Chicago Recycling Coaltion website.

Batteries:
Recycle through drop-off bins in Chicago Public Libraries and Walgreens stores.


Cell Phones:

-CTIA Wireless Foundation is the philanthropic foundation of the wireless industry. Its program is called "Donate a Phone," which supports several causes, including organizations that address domestic violence (e.g., its "Call to Protect" prgroam).

-Collective Good is an organization that facilitates cell phone donations in cooperation with a number of non-profit partners such as The American Humane Association and Earth Share. The website has information on how to donate and where to mail in your old phones: www.collectivegood.com.

-Staples Stores in conjunction with Collective Good accept used phones at their stores. A portion of the proceeds from recycling and resale go to the Sierra Club.

-Most wireless providers accept donated phones right at their retail stores and use the proceeds from resale and recycling to benefit a number of causes. For example, Sprint has initiated "Project Connect," where phone donations benefit Easter Seals and the National Organization on Disability. Verizon Wireless has started a program called "HopeLine" to benefit victims of domestic violence and their advocacy groups. See full listings on the Recycle Wireless Phones website: www.recyclewirelessphones.com. As always, check with the store first to make sure it is participating.

- You can also wait for local electronics collections, which are usually held in conjunction with household hazardous waste collection events. Cell phones and other electronic equipment can be dropped off free of charge, but electronics from commercial sources are not accepted. Dates and locations for collections in the Chicago area can be found at: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html. Or call the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction Unit at 217.785.8604 or the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation at 312.744.4611.


Computers:

Reuse options:

Given the huge amount of natural resources and energy it takes to create new computer equipment, the most environmentally responsible action you can take is to delay replacing it and instead extend its useful life through upgrading its memory and storage space. Once those options are no longer sufficient for your needs, try donating the computer, particularly if it is only a few years old. Here are several options:

-National Cristina Foundation: A nationwide clearinghouse for computer reuse that partners with a network of local not-for-profit groups. It was founded to give people with disabilities or economic disadvantages access to high quality computing tools. To donate, simply fill out their online form, and they will find the best match for your computer with a Chicago-based organization. Besides online, they can be reached at 203.863.9100.

-ATEN (Assistive Technology Exchange Network): A program of United Cerebral Palsy Association, where computers are refurbished and then sent to schools throughout Illinois to help children with disabilities. ATEN handles about 3,600 computers a year, refurbishing computers on-site, and recycling the unusable components. Recipient schools are either public or if private, for kids who are covered through public funds. Free pickup of four computers or more. Looking for Pentium and above, MacPower PC and up, hard drives, cdrom, adaptive equipment, educational software, color VGA monitors and up. 7550 W 183rd St., Tinley Park. 708.444.2836.

-Computers for Schools: This non-profit organization in Chicago accepts private and corporate computer donations, refurbishes the equipment, and makes them available to schools and other nonprofits, both in the city and the suburbs. Free pickup of 10 computers or more. Computers are refurbished on-site, and unusable equipment is recycled. Looking for Pentium III 600 MHz or better and all types of accessory equipment. 3053 N Knox, Chicago. 773.545.7575.


Recycling options:

If the computer doesn't warrant re-use, then recycling is the next option. Here are several possibilities. (Prices listed for recycling services are subject to change by the provider. Always check first).

-Computer collection events: In addition to Chicago's permanent collection facility, listed at the Chicago Recycling website, there are several collection days held each year by the city, in conjunction with the Illinois EPA. Computers and other electronic eqipment can be dropped off free of charge, but electronics from commercial sources are not accepted. Dates and locations for collections in the Chicago area can be found on the IEPA website link: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html. Or call the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction Unit at 217.785.8604 or the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation at 312.744.4611.

-Intercon Solutions: This local company has been certified under stringent environmental standards (ISO 14001) for its disassembly and recycling of computers. For modest fees, listed on its website, computer components (and a number of other electronics) can be shipped back to Intercon's facility in Chicago Ridge. (Shipping charges, in addition to fees, paid by customers).

-Staples in-store computer collection: Any used computer, monitor, or printer can be dropped off at any Staples office supply store during regular business hours for a $10 fee. Peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and speakers are accepted for no charge. This is an expansion of the existing program, where customers can drop off cell phones, pagers, digital cameras, and more for free, whether or not they were orginally bought at Staples. Call any local store for full list.

-Sims Recycling Solutions (formerly known as United Recycling Industries): If you deliver your equipment to them, they charge $0.25 per pound to recycle. Open for drop-offs Monday-Friday, 8am - 4pm, with a break for lunch. 16600 Harvester Road, West Chicago. 800.323.1574.

There are also several fee-based industry-sponsored take-back programs. The companies listed below accept all brands of equipment - not just their own:

-Dell recycling service: The company will recycle any Dell-branded products for free. Or if you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook (and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase), they will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you.

-Hewlett-Packard recycling service: HP's program charges per component recycled, from $13-$34 per item.

-IBM recycling service: Big Blue will give you a quote for the cost of recycling your old IBM and other selected equipment.

Finally, watch for occasional take-back events at retail electronics stores. Most are well publicized as they encourage you to not only bring in old equipment, but (of course) buy new.



Electronics:

-United Recycling Industries (URI): Accepts used electronics for free if you deliver to them. Located in West Chicago, they only accetp M-W-F. Call them at 800.270.8220 for directions.

-The City of Chicago, in conjunction with the Illinois EPA, annually holds several electronics collection days along with its household hazardous waste collections. Computers and other electronic equipment can be dropped off free of charge, but electronics from commercial sources are not accepted. Dates and locations for electronics/HHW collections in the Chicago area can be found on the IEPA website link: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html. Or call the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction Unit at 217.785.8604 or the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation at 312.744.4611.


Household Hazardous Waste:

-The City of Chicago, in conjunction with the Illinois EPA, annually holds several household hazardous waste collection days, where most types of household hazardous materials are accepted. Most, (but not all) people bring in their materials by car. There is no charge to individuals dropping off HHW, but waste from commercial or industrial sources is not accepted. Dates and locations for collections in the Chicago area can be found on the IEPA website link: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html. Or call the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction Unit at 217.785.8604 or the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation at 312.744.4611.


Paint:

-Reuse your surplus paint

-The Illinois EPA has initiated a program called Partners for Waste Paint Solutions in partnership with local paint dealers and hardware stores. You can take unwanted paint to these locations, where it will be remixed so it can be reused. Although there are currently no locations in the city of Chicago, there are several in the nearby suburbs. For a complete list of locations, see the IEPA link: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/citizen-involvement/paint.html.  

-You can also call your local schools, churches, or daycare centers to see if they have a use for your leftover paint.

-Latex paint can be disposed of in the municipal trash, if it has been dried out first. Simply leave the can open or try adding shredded newspaper or kitty litter to the paint to help absorb the liquid and speed up the drying process.

-For oil-based paint, you need to wait for the next household hazardous waste collection, held by the City of Chicago several times a year in conjunction with the Illinois EPA. At these collections, there is no charge to individuals dropping off paint or other HHW. (NOTE that latex paint is usually not accepted.) Dates and locations for collections in the Chicago area can be found on the IEPA website link: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html. Or call the Illinois EPA Waste Reduction Unit at 217.785.8604 or the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation at 312.744.4611.


Athletic and Street Shoes:

-Reuse shoes: Gently used shoes are greatly appreciated throughout the world and in the U.S. Share Your Soles, a non-profit in Palos Park, Illinois, has delievered over ten thousand pairs of shoes to disadvantaged people around the world, as well as in American Indian reservations, Appalachia, and cities in the U.S. As a part of this program, a number of Chicago athletic shoe stores accept donations including:

Fleet Feet Sports - 4555 N. Lincoln
Fleet Feet Sports - 210 W. North Ave.
New Balance - 2369 N. Clark
Momentum - 2001 N. Clybourn
Running Away - 1753 N. Damen
Universal Soles - 3254 N. Lincoln
Zuza Nike Goddess - 2850 N. Clark

For more information and a complete list of participating stores, visit the Share Your Soles website: www.shareyoursoles.org/


Recycle shoes:

-Nike's prgram, "Reuse-A-Shoe," collects used and defective athletic shoes, grinds them up, and uses the resulting material (called Nike Grind) to make three different types of material. Rubber from the outsole is used in making synthetic soccer, football, and baseball fields; foam from the mid-sole is used for synthetic basketball courts, tennis courts, and playground surfacing tiles; and fabric from the shoes' upper becomes padding used under hardwood basketball floors. It takes approximately 75,000 pairs of shoes to make one outdoor playing field. Nike's goal is to reycle two million pairs of shoes each year.

Since the Reuse-A-Shoe program began in 1993, Nike has helped donate more than 170 sport surfaces, called NikeGO Places, to communities around the world. Nike surfaces in the Chicago area include Douglas Park Field on the city's west side and a playground in the Chicago Housing Authority's former Robert Taylor HOmes.

-Individuals may bring their used shoes to Niketown Chicago, 669 N. Michigan Ave; 312.642.6363. However, the Nike website indicates that their retail partners can accept only quanities of 10 pairs of less, and asks that you call ahead regarding a larger donation.