Green Halo Neatly Tracks Recycling of Demolition Debris

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that an online software system called Green Halo has helped contractors recycle thousands of tons of construction debris and stay in compliance with the County’s new Demolition Debris Diversion ordinance. The ecofriendly ordinance requires contractors in suburban and unincorporated Cook County to recycle 70 percent of their debris for most demolition projects and divert 5 percent from residential waste for reuse. The County has made the Green Halo system available to contractors for free to simplify the way they track waste and recycling from demolition and construction projects. It also helps ensure recycling requirements are met. Since November, the software has tracked more than 25.7 thousand tons of demolition waste that has been recycled or reused. It also locates the nearest recycling facilities, uploads recycling drop-off tickets and submits reports directly to the County. Contract administrator Tracy Alvord of Brandenburg Industrial Service Company said Green Halo system is “easy to follow” and can find nearby recycling facilities that accept hard-to-recycle materials such as carpeting. “I’m proud Cook County is the first local government in the Midwest to use this business-friendly reporting system,” President Preckwinkle said. “We are saving time and money for contractors by switching to an electronic reporting system that’s easy and efficient.” Since November, approximately 62 contractors have used Green Halo to enter a waste diversion plan, which takes an average of only five to ten minutes to input. “Green Halo has eliminated hundreds of pounds of paper previously used by contractors and the County, saving money, trees, energy and time,” said Deborah Stone, director of the Cook County Department of Environmental Control. “And the easy access to reports means we are accountable for making sure there are real environmental benefits from our programs.”