Recognition

 

A continuous improvement program structured to help businesses reach achievable sustainability targets.

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We want to recognize your company for its sustainable business practices and offer increased exposure for the exemplary accomplishments of leaders, initiatives, and organizations working to reduce the impact of their business on our environment and make positive contributions to our community.

Being Recognized

The 2023 application window is currently open with a deadline of September 25th, 2023.

We have streamlined the process using a new electronic version that pre-populates your Annual Metrics/Recognition report with last year’s answers, saving you time and allowing you to see your sustainability progress instantly! A PDF version of the Annual Metrics/Recognition report can be used for reference. This annual metrics/recognition report is now a requirement of membership—please remember to submit your report annually to avoid compromising your membership. If you have any questions, or did not receive an email containing your unique report link, please let us know.

All SBR member companies that achieve at least bronze level receive a certificate from the SBR Board of Directors. This distinction will be announced at our annual marquee event, the Sustainable Business Summit, and be highlighted on SBR’s website and social media channels. In addition to the achievement levels, SBR recognizes outstanding projects described in Section 2 of the application. Outstanding projects selected for recognition will receive an engraved award that will be presented during SBR’s annual Summit. They will also be highlighted in a widely disseminated paid advertisement in addition to SBR’s website and social media channels.

In addition, one individual is presented with the Eric Lindstrom Sustainability Star Award. This is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond to create an environmentally and economically resilient Western New York. The honoree does not need to be a member of SBR to be considered for this award, however SBR members must nominate all candidates. Click here to access the 2023 nomination form.

Companies are awarded sustainability awards at bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels. Specific projects are awarded the following:

 

  • Most Innovative Sustainability Project
  • Community Impact Award
  • Board of Directors’ Choice Award

Award Recipients

2022 Winners

The organizations recognized at the 2022 Summit embody the SBR’s Principles to become a thriving and resilient business by establishing plans to reduce material waste, protect our waterways, optimize use of energy, and invest in our communities with an overall goal of reducing their footprint and becoming role models in the business community.

The following companies were recognized for their outstanding work in sustainability.

  • Platinum Level: Curbell, Linde PLC, University at Buffalo
  • Gold Level: Casella Waste Systems, Erie County, Wendel, Goldfarb Financial, M&T Bank, National Grid, NYPA, Niagara Malt, NYSERDA, Perry’s Ice Cream, Wendel
  • Silver Level: Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Catholic Health, Environmental Advantage Inc., Harmac Medical Products, LED Energy Solutions, Life Storage, Modern Disposal Services, Montante Solar, NOCO Energy, Rich Products, Rigidized Metals Corp., Solar by CIR, Sunnking, SWBR, Taitem Engineering, Tapecon, WSP USA Inc.
  • Bronze Level: Lexington Coop Markets, OMNI Renewables, WNY Land Conservancy

In addition to overall recognition, three companies and one individual were recognized in specific categories:

Most Innovative Sustainability Project awarded to Linde PLC for reimagining their hydrogen manufacturing process after the loss of a supplier lead to a significant reduction to their Hydrogen feedstock. By reviewing their process and maximizing efficiency, Linde found was that not only was it more efficient to run 3 out of their 4 compressors at 80%, but it allowed the manufacturing site to be more resilient with a compressor on standby. Ultimately, the innovative methods led to an annual energy and water consumption reduction of 11,267 mega watts and 2,253,357 gallons, respectively, with an added benefit of economic savings of over $400,000 a year.

Community Impact Award was awarded to Rich Products for their support and collaboration with the Providence Farm Collective (PFC) to actualize the rights of under-resourced peoples and to support a strategic planning effort. Rich Products support affirmed PFC’s commitment to ensure that its farmers had agency with regard to land access, allowing the communities to farm what they wanted using farming practices they chose, and helped align and accelerate PFC’s search for the right land to invest in, resulting in a move to a more permanent farm location in Orchard Park. In early 2022, Rich’s expanded their relationship with PFC, awarding the collective an additional 3-year grant to continue working on their mission.

The Board of Directors Choice Award honored LED Energy Solutions for their implementing a project in the City of Dunkirk effectively retrofitted every city streetlight and lights in city buildings and properties with LED lighting. This initiative not only supported the local economy by utilizing local electricians, contractors and product suppliers, but also cut the City of Dunkirk’s kilowatt hour per year usage in half, ultimately saving city taxpayers roughly $250,000 annually in electricity costs.

2021 Winners

The following companies were recognized for their outstanding work in sustainability.

  • Platinum Level: National Grid, Tesla, University at Buffalo
  • Gold Level: Harmac Medical Products, Erie County, Wendel, Goldfarb Financial, Curbell, Perry’s Ice Cream, Niagara Malt, M&T Bank
  • Silver Level: Triad Recycling, Montante Solar, ARCA, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Catholic Health, Chudy Paper, Eaton Office Supply, Environmental Advantage Inc., Guard Contracting, LED Energy Solutions
  • Bronze Level: ECIDA, FIFCO USA, materialsIn, NOCO Energy

In addition to overall recognition, three companies and one individual were recognized in specific categories:

Most Innovative Sustainability Project awarded to NOCO Energy for their efforts to greatly improve lighting efficiency by converting all lighting at their facility to LED and for their composting innovations of developing both a traditional composting facility and the other in a food waste to black soldier fly protein processing facility. Download the Case Study

Community Impact Award was awarded to Rich Products for their support and collaboration with the Massachusetts Avenue Project to combat unprecedented threats to local food security during the COVID pandemic from farm to family table through their Mobile Market Food Access Initiative. Download the Case Study

The Board of Directors Choice Award honored University at Buffalo for their incredible achievement of converting to 100% renewable electricity and a carbon footprint reduction of 33%. Download the Case Study

2020 Winners

Gold: Curbell, Niagara Malt, Perry’s Ice Cream, Triad Recycling, Wendel

Silver: Buffalo Zoo, Erie County, Goldfarb Financial & Harmac Medical Products

Bronze: Montante Solar

2019 Winners

Gold: Wendel, Curbell

Silver: Harmac Medical Products, Erie County, Buffalo Zoo, Goldfarb Financial

2018 Winners

Perry’s Ice cream, Niagara Malt LLC, Harmac Medical Products, Erie County, Curbell, Wendel, University at Buffalo, Tri-Main Development LLC, Triad Recycling, Tapecon

Business Stories

Click on our member business logos below to read a case study about their sustainability projects.

2021 Stories

2020 Stories

2019 Stories

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