Media Contact: Alan Heymann (202) 741-2136
(Washington, DC) Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today recognized 19 District businesses and nonprofit organizations for their environmental stewardship, innovative best practices, pollution prevention, and resource conservation in the first-ever ‘Mayor’s Environmental Excellence Awards.’ The winners range in size from a small neighborhood café in Bloomingdale to a District-wide food service operation with more than 500 employees.
“The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the very best in sustainable commerce in the District of Columbia,” said Mayor Fenty. “Every day, the winners demonstrate that taking care of the environment makes good business sense.”
The awards are a component of the Mayor’s Green agenda, and an effort to incentivize growth of local green enterprises, green existing businesses and District government, and train local workforce to fill green jobs of the future. Over several months, the management team at the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) accepted and considered 52 applications in 5 categories. Winners received an engraved award from Mayor Fenty in person at a ceremony today.
“For the District to continue realizing the Mayor’s vision of one of the world’s greenest cities, the private and nonprofit sectors have an incredibly important role,” said DDOE Director George S. Hawkins. “Today’s award winners take that role to the next level. We thank them for helping us start a new tradition in recognizing green businesses each year.”
The winners of the 2009 Mayor’s Environmental Excellence Awards are:
Large Business: Akridge
Restaurant: Big Bear Cafe, LLC
Partner of the Year: Casey Trees
Small Business: Circle Yoga, LLC
Innovation in Green Products or Services: Clean Currents, LLC
Hotel: The Fairmont Washington, D.C.
Small Business: Flow Yoga Center
Partner of the Year: Green Builders Council of DC
Construction/Development Company: GreenShape, LLC
Large Business: Guest Services, Inc.
Innovation in Green Products or Services: Latino Economic Development Corporation
Partner of the Year: Live Green
Partner of the Year: Miller & Long Company, Inc.
Small Business: Natural Body Spa & Shoppe - West End
Restaurant: Poste Moderne Brasserie
Restaurant: Restaurant Nora
Construction/Development Company: The Tower Companies
Hotel: Willard InterContinental Hotel
Innovation in Green Products or Services: Zipcar
For a detailed case study of each winning business, please visit http://ddoe.dc.gov/awards. The application period for the 2010 awards will open September 1.