Recognition

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.