Since 1993, the BEST Awards (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) have been presented annually to Portland area companies demonstrating excellence in business practices that promote social equity, economic growth and environmental benefits.
BEST Awards are presented the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability in partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, Metro, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Water Bureau and the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
Applications are available in three categories. Companies may only submit one application. If you have questions about which category best fits your company, please contact us: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 503-823-7037.
Past winners may not reapply in the same category for five years. This does not apply to past winners in the Products or Services category, who may reapply for new products and services at any time.
Non-profit agencies may apply. Government agencies are not eligible.
Applicants must be located within the Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area: Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington. Companies with headquarters or operations outside of Portland should base their response on operations conducted within the Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA).
Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday, February 10th, 2012. For complete instructions, see applications below.
This category awards four sizes of businesses for their comprehensive approach to sustainability in their business operations. These companies go beyond recycling and energy efficiency to include such practices as socially equitable hiring practices, transportation alternatives, water efficiencies and sustainable purchasing.
Winning companies in Sustainable Food Systems are addressing their internal practices around food, and are making an impact on the food industry in which they operate. For smaller businesses, this may mean supporting small, local growers or educating customers about the benefits of their food product. For larger businesses, this is about changing supply chains, supporting local food producers to help them remain viable, or reshaping the way consumers think about the food they buy and eat.
In 2011, BEST Awards celebrated Doubletree Hotel for using seasonal menus, buying direct from local food producers, and dramatically reducing landfill-bound food waste through donations and composting. See Doubletree Hotel’s profile.
The Sustainable Products or Services category awards businesses for offering an innovative product or service that leaves a positive impact not only on their employees and customers, but also on the broader community.
In 2011, BEST Awards celebrated B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery for their use of heavy-duty, electric-assist, locally-built trike trucks to deliver up to 800 pounds of goods per trip, eliminating fuel and exhaust-heavy delivery vehicles within the downtown core. See B-Line’s profile.
Note: There is no Green Building category this year.
A jury of regional experts will select up to ten businesses or organizations that exemplify ambitious and creative solutions for sustainable practices, products and services while promoting social, economic and environmental equity for the Portland-Metro community. BEST Award winners are announced at the annual BEST Awards event, which will take place April 25. All applicant businesses will be invited to attend the event, but award winners will not be notified in advance of their status.
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