Six NH businesses were chosen as leaders for implementing practices that are both eco-friendly and good for the bottom line in Business NH Magazine’s third annual Lean and Green Awards competition. The awards were given in three categories: Green Practices, Green Building and Green Product, and the winners were selected from numerous applicants by a panel of independent judges.
Green Practices awards were given to four companies that demonstrated sustainable processes resulting in increased energy savings. The winner for small companies (under 100 employees) was The Mount Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods. Three companies were awarded in the large category (more than 100 employees): Antioch University New England in Keene as a nonprofit; and Newmarket International in Portsmouth as a for-profit venture. Also, AutoFair in Manchester received an Early Adopter award for installing LED lighting in the parking lot at its AutoFair Honda facility.
The Green Building award, for a building that incorporates sustainability in its design, construction and future operations, while demonstrating savings and efficiency, went to The Nature of Things in Nashua for its new school building.
The Green Product award winner was Kalwall in Manchester for its translucent wall and ceiling systems that harness the power of the sun.
Judges were Alison Degan, co-owner of Acorn Organic Salon in Dover, the 2009 Lean & Green Micro Company Practices Award winner; Margaret Dillon, president of S.E.E.D.S (Sustainable Energy Education & Demonstration Services) in Jaffrey; Dick Henry, executive director of The Jordan Institute in Concord; Joanne Morin, director of the NH Office of Energy and Planning in Concord; Emily Neuman, sustainability coordinator for the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society in Hanover, the 2009 Lean & Green New Building Award winner; Michael Redmond, vice president for advancement at Crotched Mountain Foundation and Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, the 2009 Lean & Green Large Practices Award winner; and Thomas Sullivan, owner of Sullivan Construction in Bedford, the 2009 Lean & Green Retrofit Building Award winner.
Award winners will be honored at the Lean & Green Awards reception at The Portsmouth Harbor Events and Conference Center—which aims to be the first LEED-certified events center in the state—from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14.
The reception will include a keynote speech by Cameron Wake, research associate professor at the University of NH and director of Carbon Solutions New England, on NH’s environmental challenges and possible solutions. Award recipients will share their best practices and guests can enjoy free-range eggs and fair-trade coffee before touring the center’s green features.
The Lean and Green Awards Breakfast is hosted by Business NH Magazine, and sponsored by GT Solar, Public Service of NH and Optima Bank. The cost to attend is $30, and guests can register online at www.eventsNH.com or by calling 603.626.6354.