OSD NEWS
April 17, 2008
City of Portland recognizes eight local businesses at the 16th Annual BEST Awards
Award recipients are leaders of Portland's green economy and model sustainable business practices.
PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland's top awards for business sustainability were revealed today at the 16th Annual Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Awards Breakfast presented by the City's Office of Sustainable Development. The BEST Awards recognize businesses demonstrating a commitment to excellence in sustainable business practices.
After a welcome from Mayor Tom Potter, Portland City Commissioners Dan Saltzman and Sam Adams presented the awards at the breakfast held today at the Doubletree Hotel. Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury gave the keynote address.
"The practices modeled by these winning businesses and projects are truly inspiring," said Commissioner Saltzman. "Most importantly, all of their innovative techniques conserve energy, reduce waste, and educate the business community about what they can do to lower carbon emissions. Portland is truly a national leader in this effort, and this year's BEST award winners are leading they way."
The winners of the 16th annual BEST Awards are listed by category, below:
BEST Practices for Sustainability-Large Company:
New Seasons Market
A locally owned and operated grocery, New Seasons Market is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture, community involvement, and a progressive workplace. Buying locally and sustainably isn't just a business model for New Seasons, it's a passion and a way of life that they believe in supporting--from farm to plate to compost.
BEST Practices for Sustainability-Medium Company:
Full Sail Brewing Company
Full Sail is an independent employee-owned brewery dedicated to operating their brewery in the most socially and environmentally sustaining manner possible, while producing world-class ales and lagers of the highest quality.
BEST Practices for Sustainability-Small Company (2 winners):
Hawthorne Auto
Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Inc - Providing vehicle repair and service in the inner Southeast Portland neighborhood since 1983, Hawthorne Auto Clinic distinguishes themselves from the norm by their high level of environmental responsibility, community involvement, and expertise.
Mint Dental Works
Mint Dental Works is a premier example of sustainable dentistry. Slated to be the country's first LEED®-certified dental office, their business promotes patient and environmental health through sustainable construction and resource-saving daily practices.
Sustainable Products or Services:
YOLO Colorhouse
YOLO Colorhouse is the creator of premium, zero-VOC, Green SealTM certified interior and exterior paint. YOLO's paint selection features handcrafted, designer colors and an environmentally responsible system for selecting the perfect palette.
Green Buildings:
The Civic & The Morrison
The Civic & The Morrison project is a vibrant, mixed-use community featuring a public plaza, underground parking, retail, and low-income and market rate housing in two LEED buildings. This project is a partnership between Gerding Edlen and Housing Authority of Portland.
Sustainable Food Systems (2 winners):
Laughing Planet Café
Laughing Planet Café operates small, quick-service restaurants offering tasty, wholesome food in a convenient, affordable, and neighborhood-friendly format. Their emphasis on fresh, whole foods, balanced nutrition, and sustainability makes LPC a uniquely competitive alternative to conventional "fast-food."
Your Backyard Farmer
Your Backyard Farmer is bringing sustainability to Portland's backyards, with an innovative approach to community-supported agriculture. They create organic-method farms in residential backyards, tending them weekly to seed, weed and provide a healthy harvest.
Award partners
The BEST Awards are presented by the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Water Bureau, Portland Bureau of Development Services, Portland Office of Transportation, Portland Development Commission and Energy Trust of Oregon.
A Better Future. A Better Now.
The City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development brings together community partners to promote a healthy and prosperous future for Portland through programs encouraging energy conservation, renewable energy use, recycling and waste reduction, sustainable government, alternative fuels and high-performance green building practices.
For more information: (503) 823-4165
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Media Contact: (not for publication)
Brendan Finn, Chief of Staff to Commissioner Dan Saltzman, 503-823-3110
Cynthia Fuhrman, Communications Manager, OSD, 503-823-0229
