Smith Seal of North Carolina Sustainable Business Award

The Smith Seal of North Carolina Sustainable Business Award was developed to recognize the efforts of Raleigh Chamber members who are committed and engaged in environmentally and socially responsible operations and practices. Smith Seal applauds all of the organizations in the Triangle pursuing sustainability through innovation and creative practices that help reduce their environmental impact and generate demand for ‘green’ businesses. 



 The purpose of this award is to recognize businesses that have embraced the spirit of sustainability by incorporating environmentally conscious practices and make strides to improve the lives of their employees or community into the everyday operations of the company. 
 


How businesses adopt sustainability can be defined in many ways – a few examples include adopting practices and procedures that reduce the environmental impact of the firm; prioritizing the triple bottom line by focusing on people, profits, and the planet; or providing products or services that help consumers or businesses reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.


This year, the award will be broken into two categories – The Sustainability Leadership Award for companies that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to sustainability, and the Continuous Improvements Award for companies that have recently embraced sustainability as a part of their business operations and are seeking ways to improve. The priority for these awards is to identify businesses that have demonstrated leadership and have made exemplary and innovative efforts to address the fundamental principles of sustainability internally in their company: environmental stewardship, economic strength, and community.

For additional information, contact Nita Fulbright at 919.664.7031.

CRITERIA
• Business must demonstrate sustainability practices incorporated into their day to day operations.
• Company must have been in operation for at least three years.
• Privately or publicly held corporation, proprietorship or partnership (not a subsidiary or division).
• Member of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
• CEO/President actively participates in the daily operation of the company.

JUDGING
• The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce will select a panel of community and business leaders who will determine the award winner.
• The Award will be presented at Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Business Awards Celebration on May 4, 2010.

DEADLINE
• Application deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2010.


Company Name:

Company Address:

Company Telephone Number:

Web site Address:

Your State:

President or owner name:

Type of Business (Please briefly describe your business):

Year Business Founded:

Number of Employees:

Who is submitting entry other than Owner:

Title:

Submitter Phone:

Submitter e-mail:


1. Briefly describe how your company incorporates sustainability into its mission,
strategy, and day to day operations. If your company has a sustainability document
or other supporting document, please upload here.

2. How has your company been innovative or creative with its sustainability efforts?

3. What are the main drivers/top reasons for your company to integrate sustainability
into daily operations?



4. How do your workplace practices engage employee involvement and promote a
sustainable office?



5. What results have been realized through your sustainability program(s),
and how were these results measured?


6. How has a sustainability program changed your company practices – both
internally and externally?



7. Have you required any of your vendors/suppliers, distributers, etc. to adopt
any sustainability practices?

8. What is your biggest challenge in promoting sustainability in the workplace, and
what strategies have you used to achieve success?



9. What are your plans for the future in regards to your firms’ sustainability activities?