Applications are being accepted for the 2016 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award, the nation’s longest-running state environmental awards program. Through the program, companies, municipalities and organizations are acknowledged for their efforts to minimize their environmental impact and for the positive economic and societal consequences of their sustainability actions. The awards program is a service of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, a division of the Prairie Research Institute, and has recognized Illinois sustainability champions since 1987.
Public and private Illinois organizations statewide are implementing strategies to save money and resources by eliminating wasted energy, water and materials in their manufacturing and other activities.
Four recent winners show how they did it in an online video that profiles Nestle Inc., of Jacksonville, Illinois; the city of Galena, Illinois; beelove, a small business, of Chicago; and the city of Arcola, Illinois.
“Advancing the ‘triple bottom line’ catalyzes economic and job growth within Illinois while still preserving our natural and cultural resources,” said Kevin O’Brien, the director of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.
Applications are available online and will be accepted until 5 p.m. May 20.
Many resources are available online to assist in developing an application, such as case studies and sample applications. Questions may be emailed to istc-govsawards@illinois.edu. Applications must be submitted online.
The 2016 awards ceremony will be Nov. 1 at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.
