Delaware County Sustainability
Commission and Office of Sustainability
Sustainability is the creation and maintenance of conditions in which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations in a changing climate. In simple terms, sustainability means taking action to not only protect the natural environment, but to also maintain the parts of the community that we like to ensure they are preserved for the future despite our changing climate. Sustainability is often broken down into three core pillars – People, Planet, and Profit — the “triple bottom line”.
The People aspect of sustainability focuses on the well-being of people and communities. This might include equity, education, or health and wellness.
The Planet aspect of sustainability focuses on the ability to preserve and protect our natural environment. This includes practices like water conservation, preservation of open space, and ensuring healthy and robust tree canopies.
Finally, the Profit aspect of sustainability recognizes that economic activities must be conducted in a way which promotes long-term economic well-being without compromising the other pillars.
Each of these pillars must be balanced and considered holistically with the others. Sustainability requires systems thinking which serves to look at holistic relationships and impacts rather than breaking down individual pieces. In order to achieve sustainability in Delaware County, we must look at our community as one unified whole. To this end, the Delaware County Sustainability Commission and the Office of Sustainability were established.
For additional information about what sustainability actions are being taken in your community and how you can get involved, visit these links:
- Sustainable Communities Hub — new site to bring together local communities and Environmental Advisory Committees for coordinated environmental planning and action – February 2026
- Delaware County Sustainability Commission – Agendas, minutes, videos and commission members
- Delaware County Office of Sustainability
- Sustainability Plan for Delaware County – August 2023
- 5th Annual Sustainability Conference Morning Program Video – March 13, 2026
Sustainability: the Triple Bottom Line
Latest Sustainability Posts
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Upcoming Delco Sustainability events – recycling yard signs and roadside cleanup
The Delaware County Sustainability Office is cosponsoring two upcoming events: The first is a campaign yard sign recycling opportunity May 29 and May 30 and the second is roadside cleanup in Trainer on June 13 in partnership with the NMS Watersheds Alliance to prevent roadside trash from flowing into Marcus… Read more…
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In case you missed it — video of 5th Annual Delco Sustainability Conference March 13, 2026
The 5th Annual Delaware County Sustainability Conference, hosted at Swarthmore College was a resounding success, so much so that registration quickly reached the 300-person cap. If you missed it or could not register, you can watch the morning sessions on video below. Read more…
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The Sustainable Communities Hub is here! Use it to guide your town’s EAC or start one
The Delaware County Office of Sustainability has just launched its Sustainable Communities Hub, a website to provide resources for the environmental advisory councils, shade tree commissions and other environmental committees of each Delco community or to inspire those communities that do not have such a committee to start one. Read more…