The Green Business Partnership, a program of the Business Council of Westchester in partnership with Westchester County and Green Team Spirit LLC, recently honored eight organizations at the ninth annual Green Business Partnership Awards at the Cambria Hotel in White Plains.
Awards were given to organizations in each of the six categories that the Green Business Partnership identifies as part of its green certification process, and one in honor of the late Charles Brown, a visionary green business leader that demonstrated a true commitment to sustainability as founder and CEO of C.W. Brown in Armonk (now LeChase Construction). The event was sponsored by Heineken, Peak Power, Suburban Carting, Westmed Medical Group and Yonkers Tennis Center.
“This year’s award winners exemplify the very best of the business community and the many benefits of investing in sustainability,” said Dani Glaser, Green Business Partnership program director and owner of Green Team Spirit LLC. “Not only are these organizations measuring and reducing their impact on the environment, they are saving money, increasing profits and becoming more competitive, all while engaging employees and helping them develop sustainability skills. We’re proud to showcase these impressive accomplishments.”
River Architects in Cold Spring, an architecture and design studio with work that ranges in scale from large public projects to intimate, environmentally smart Passive Houses, will receive the Charles W. Brown Jr. Sustainability Award for its commitment to best sustainable practices and visionary leadership.
Lindenhurst Memorial Library will receive the Organizational Commitment Award for the high standard set by leadership that allowed the organization to incorporate sustainable business practices into every aspect of operations and to shine as a role model for the community.
Wartburg, a home health care and rehabilitative care provider in Mount Vernon, and Pelham-based Lippolis Electric, will receive the Energy Award, in recognition of their success in working together to help Wartburg significantly reduce its energy usage.
Encourage Yoga in Croton-on-Hudson, an all-levels studio that focuses on custom workouts, athletic challenges and therapeutic movement, will receive the Waste Management & Green Products Award for commitment and creativity in reducing waste and buying green.
Balancing Life’s Issues, a global training agency based in Ossining that helps engage, inspire and educate employees to lead happier and healthier lives, will receive the Transportation Award. BLI significantly reduced carbon emissions by embracing technology in order to travel less while maintaining its high integrity of service.
Acadia Realty Trust, a national equity real estate investment trust headquartered in Rye, will receive the Land Use Award for its commitment to implement sustainable operating practices at its headquarters and portfolio of properties.
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, an Ossining-based Catholic society of priests and brothers dedicated to missionary work overseas, will receive the Water Award for its commitment to reducing water use inside and outside its facilities, and recognizing our impact on a global water crisis.
The Green Business Partnership helps organizations of any size that lease or own commercial or industrial space become sustainable and achieve green business certification. The GBP was founded in 2009 as the Westchester Green Business Challenge, a program of the Business Council of Westchester in partnership with Westchester County and Green Team Spirit LLC. In 2014, it expanded to offer an official green business certification.
In 2017, responding to widespread demand for access to the GBP’s turnkey system, it relaunched as the Green Business Partnership and made the program available to businesses throughout the nation. Learn more at www.greenbusinesspartnership.org.
