Nearly 70 organizations, businesses, educational institutions, governments and individuals were nominated for the first-ever Philadelphia Sustainability Awards. Some were self-nominations, some were nominated by others. No matter where they came from, these are signs of a rising sustainability tide. Check out these amazing people, organizations, and projects springing up all over – maybe, near you!  | Nominated by The Food Trust The trust increases access to affordable, nutritious food, improves health through better nutrition and supports local farms through on the ground programs like farmer’s markets to policy initiatives. They also promote sustainable supermarket development, provide education opportunities and informed the process that led the passage of the “Healthy Farms, Healthy Schools” Act by the PA Legislature. Missed the Green Carpet Awards Ceremony? Click here to read the introduction to this winner! |
| Nominated by Blooming Glen Farm As a Community Supported Agriculture farm in Perkasie, local communities share in the cost of supporting the farm and reap the benefits during the harvest. Crops are grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, and are grown in soil using composting, cover crops and mulching. The farm serves as an opportunity for people to get involved in growing the food they will later eat, and provides opportunities for community interaction. |
 | Nominated by Delaware Valley Earth Force CAPS is a program that challenges youth the Greater Philadelphia region to “think like scientists and act like citizens.” Students use investigations, interviews with experts and cost benefit balancing to solve environmental problems in their backyards, neighborhoods and playgrounds. These students pave the way to environmental improvements such as healthier streams, greener spaces, and energy conservation. |
 | Nominated by Wissahickon Charter School 408 students in grades K-8 learn to develop their own approaches to environmental problems and their application in the real world. Students participate in projects such as converting vegetable oil into fuel, harnessing solar energy, and participating Philadelphia’s GreenPlan for sustainable open space. Students are not only engaged in broad sustainability issues, but have also manufactured up to 2,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel and generated 6,260 kilowatt hours of solar energy each year. |
 | Nominated by Philadelphia University The Institute serves as both an advocate and skeptic for the green building movement, focusing on green materials research, sustainable design strategies and community education. It has helped give birth to organizations like the Delaware Valley Green Building Council and the Consortium for Sustainable Design. It has created jobs, trained and educated students and professionals and has brought four million dollars into the region for sustainable projects. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the introductory comments for this winner! |
 | Nominated by Women’s Health and Environmental Network Working with major healthcare facilities in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions, this organization seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of this huge industry. Initiatives include the Mercury-Free Philly campaign, reducing regular waste from entering the biohazard waste stream, environmental health education to medical practitioners and linking hospital with sustainable agriculture. |
 | Nominated by Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles’ Go Green initiative has become not only a rallying cry, but also a part of the football team’s mission. Initiatives include recycling programs, purchasing renewable energy, tree planting programs, the use of organic and pesticide-free materials on the playing field, and use of biodiesel fuel from the cooking fats used in the team’s kitchen. The organization will hold educational sessions for other NFL teams at an upcoming business summit, encouraging other teams to follow suit. |
 | Nominated by Greensgrow Philadelphia This ¾ acre urban farm in the Kensington section of Philadelphia is located on a formerly abandoned, contaminated Superfund site. In addition to growing and delivering fresh produce throughout Philadelphia, the farm offers tours, and hosts educational programs about composting, hydroponic growing and beekeeping. Their mission is the development of green businesses as an alternative to abandoned land and a potential tool for neighborhood revitalization. |
 | Nominated by Consilience Homeowner and developer Jackie O’Neil set out to create a home designed to produce as much energy as it consumes from clean, renewable energy. The house became the first LEED certified home in Pennsylvania and the first GOLD rated home in the nation. This affordable house produces 102% of its electricity needs and serves to educate others on the construction and renovation of low-energy homes. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments for this winner! |
 | Nominated by Judy Wicks A 37-year resident of Philadelphia, this White Dog Café owner has been collaborating to build a vibrant and joyful Philadelphia community with a strong local economy. In addition to a commitment to sustainable business practices that include buying local food and purchasing renewable energy, she has also cultivated a generation of activists who are committed to environmental and social issues. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments for this winner! |
 | Nominated by Manko Gold Katcher & Fox, LLP As a leader in environmentally responsible, economically efficient facilities, this developer strives to promote healthy living and work environments. Sustainable elements consist of reducing waste and air emissions, energy efficiency and resource conservation. Regional projects include One Crescent Drive, the Comcast Center, The Plaza at PPL in Allentown, and Fellowship Drive (NJ). Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments for this Winner! |
 | Nominated by Philadelphia Fry-O-Diesel As a way to fuel diesel cars and oil-heated homes, biodiesel is gaining ground as a cleaner-burning, renewable alternative. Using restaurant trap grease that would otherwise get hauled away from a restaurant, this company has created a pilot plant in north Philadelphia to develop the technology for converting trap grease into biodiesel. The final product, a blend of petrol diesel and biodiesel could avoid more than 40 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. |
 | Nominated by Croxton Collaborative/Cecil Baker & Associates Located in a north Philadelphia neighborhood with high crime rates, lower income levels and fewer services, this refurbished building breathed new life and established a sense of security for the community. The site’s green elements include stormwater management, high-efficiency fluorescent lighting and use of chemicals and products that ensure good indoor air quality. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments for this Winner! |
 | Nominated by PhillyCarShare In attempting to reduce automobile dependence in the region, this non-profit established a system where Philadelphians can access low-emissions vehicles available by the hour in convenient locations throughout the city. Impacts include 2,070 fewer vehicles on the road, 1.2 million miles driven in hybrids, 440,000 gallons of gas saved and 9.9 fewer miles driven. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments for this Winner! |
 | Nominated by Re:Vision Architecture Re-visioning and restoring the balance between the natural and built environments, this firm collaborates with regional development, engineering, architecture and non-profit organizations to apply green design strategies and technologies. They’ve played a role in many regional sustainability “firsts” and continue to educate and train others in the region on how to design and build more green buildings. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments to this Winner! |
 | Nominated by RecycleBank This Philadelphia-based company merges technology with incentives – by placing chips in participants’ recycle bins, computerized collection trucks calculate the weight and credit the household for the amount of recycled materials. Households can earn up to $400 per year in RecycleBank dollars redeemable at more than 400 retailers such as Starbucks, Home Depot and Reading Terminal Market. Recycling rates in participating neighborhoods doubled, keeping with RecycleBank’s typical recycling rates of about 40%. Missed the Green Carpet Awards Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments to this Winner! |
 | Nominated by Whole Foods Market By embracing environmental stewardship as one of its five core values, Whole Foods Market has committed itself to sustainable excellence. Through initiatives such as purchasing renewable energy credits from wind farms to offset 100% of its electricity used, composting and recycling initiatives, Whole Foods Market avoided more than 700 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution last year, and the Callowhill store alone diverted an estimated 513.61 tons of compostable waste from going into regional landfills. |
| Nominated by Upper Dublin Township Environmental Advisory Board This Montgomery County township has no town center and residents rely heavily on cars for transportation, but that hasn’t stopped them from being a model of suburban sustainability. Their sustainable initiatives include using clean energy sources, incentives for recycling, reducing the use of pesticides, preserving open spaces, and informing community residents and businesses of sustainable practices. Missed the Awards Green Carpet Ceremony? Click here to see the Introductory Comments for this Winner! |
 | Nominated by SCA Americas SCA Americas, part of SCA, a global consumer goods and paper company, recently acquired ‘Environmental Choice’ certification at its five US Tissue Mills. This allows the company to produce a wide selection of environmentally certified tissue products. The company also recently used its relocation to the Cira Centre as the driver for developing sustainability activities such as LEED certified office space, employee use of public transportation, recycling, and employee health and wellness. |
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