Is your small business/organization taking environmentally friendly steps to reduce waste, maximize
efficiency and create a safer work environment?
Click on the links to the left or scroll down the page to learn more.
If your business is taking environmentally friendly steps to reduce waste, maximize efficiency, and create a safer work environment here's how the EcoStar Awards Program can give you the public recognition you deserve:
- EcoStars are featured in press releases distributed to newspapers, magazines and trade publications statewide.
- EcoStars receive a plaque of recognition; window decals; printed color table display cards for use in waiting rooms, cashier points and other locations; and a camera-ready copy of the EcoStar logo for use in company advertising.
- EcoStars are automatically eligible for the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention Award, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Renewal - EcoStar recognition is valid for one year from the time of award. Recognition is renewable, but businesses must reapply each year and show progress in pollution prevention.
Case Studies - Information provided on the application may be used in the development of case studies and other educational materials for peer businesses. Information will not be used without written permission from the applicant.
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How can my business or organization earn EcoStar status?
Any Montana small business can earn an EcoStar award by demonstrating achievement in waste reduction, energy conservation, and/or water conservation within the past year. Her are some of the environmentally friendly steps you can take to improve your environmental performance and quality for an EcoStar Award:
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Conserving Energy |
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Using Less Hazardous Products |
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Purchasing Products in Bulk |
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Reusing Products |
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Training Employees |
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Conserving Water |
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Reducing Packaging |
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Solvent Distillation |
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Recycling |
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Inventory Control |
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Any Montana small business is eligible for EcoStar recognition if they meet the following criteria:
- Non-governmental business located in Montana.
- In compliance, to the best of your knowledge, with all environmental regualtions at the time of application
- Has taken steps to go beyond minimum state and federal standards.
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Why does it make good business sense to become an EcoStar?
How much money could your business save if your material use was cut by 35-50%? How much money could your business save by changing one of your processes? What if you could use one of your waste streams to heat your building? What if you made these changes, saved money, and reduced your regulatory requirements, all at the same time?
The bottom line is that most of the pollution prevention achievements that will earn you an EcoStar Award will also save you money. Maybe a lot of money.
Here are some other business benefits to becoming an EcoStar:
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Gain a Competitive Advantage
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Attract New Customers
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Enhance Customer Loyalty
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Increase Employee Morale
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How are winners chosen?
The EcoStar awards program challenges you to keep improving your business' environmental performance every year. The EcoStar award may give you a competitive advantage, but you don't have to compete with other businesses to be a winner. All you have to do is show that in the last year your business has made improvements in reducing solid and hazardous waste, conserving energy and water, or improving air quality.
The Montana Pollution Prevention Program will judge your application based on:
- Commitment to waste reduction
- Environmental benefits achieved and waste prevented
- Innovation of waste reduction activities
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What do past winners say?
"The EcoStar Program has really propelled interest by our employees to go further in cutting our waste. Our customers have taken a real interest in what we're doing now." - Mark Miller, Imperial Dry Cleaners, Kalispell
"This program is a great idea because it raises awareness with our customers. A lot of people saw the article in the paper. It is nice to finally be recognized for the things we do to conserve." - Sharon Francisco, Sportsman Club, Columbia Falls
"If it hadn't been for your program, I probably wouldn't have been in the frame of mind to make all these changes." - Bob Wolf, Garlick Helicopters, Hamilton
"We value the EcoStar designation. A lot of customers have commented favorably about our EcoStar status, and I like having something over our competitors." - Dan Burkhart, The Stillwater Lodge, Absarokee
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How do I apply?
Eligibility Criteria:
Any Montana small business can earn an EcoStar award by demonstrating achievement in waste reduction, energy conservation, and/or water conservation within the past year. There is no charge for participating in this program.
Montana small businesses or organizations are eligible for EcoStar recognition if they meet the following criteria:
- Non-governmental business located in Montana.
- In compliance, to the best of your knowledge, with all environmental regulations at the time of application.
- Taken steps to go beyond minimum state and federal standards.
Application Procedure:
Print or save the form using this link: EcoStar Application Form. Fax, mail or email the form to Jenny Grossenbacher (see below). Be specific, but don't worry if some sections do not seem to apply to your business. Applications are judged individually according to your specific waste streams and level of commitment to pollution prevention. Pollution prevention and material reuse activities are rated higher than recycling, pollution control, and treatment.
A complimentary copy of the Montana Voluntary Environmental Audit and Pollution Prevention Guide is available at no cost to you. This guide was developed to help Montana companies:
1.) identify the environmental regulations that potentially apply to them,
2.) perform a self-audit to review their waste and material management practices.
You may find this guide helpful for filling out your EcoStar application. Please call us to request your copy.
Contact the Montana Pollution Prevention Program toll-free at (888) MSU-6872 or assistance in completing this application.
Submit your Application by October 1, 2008.
2008 EcoStar Award Ceremony -
November 17, 2008
State Capital, Helena
Jenny Grossenbacher, Research Associate
(406)994-3451 phone
(888)MSU-6872 toll-free
(406)994-5417 fax
MT Pollution Prevention Program
PO Box 173580
Bozeman, MT 59714-3580
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How do I nominate a business?
Do you know a Montana
small business that is taking
environmentally friendly steps to reduce waste and maximize efficiency?
Help them get
the public recognition they deserve.
Nominate them for an EcoStar Award!
The EcoStar Program rewards Montana small businesses and organizations that have taken
the initiative to reduce solid and hazardous waste, conserve energy and water, and improve
air quality. There is no charge for participating in this program.
Here's
how the EcoStar Awards Program gives eligible businesses and organizations the
public recognition they deserve:
- EcoStars are featured in
press releases distributed to newspapers, magazines and trade
publications statewide.
- EcoStars receive a
plaque of recognition, window decals, a camera-ready copy of the EcoStar logo for use in company advertising, as well as printed color table
display card for use in waiting rooms, cashier points, and other locations.
- EcoStars are automatically
eligible for the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in
Pollution Prevention Award, sponsored by the U.S. Small
Business Administration.
Instructions:
Simply print the form below or copy it into
a word processing program. Then fill it out, and fax, mail, or
e-mail it to the address listed
below.
The Montana Pollution Prevention Program will notify the business
of their nomination and confirm their desire to participate in this award
program.
We thank you for your help in getting Montana businesses the
recognition and public thanks they deserve.
EcoStar 2008 Awards Program Nomination Form (.doc format)
Nomination forms due by October 1, 2008.
For more EcoStar
2008 information and/or an EcoStar 2008 application,
please contact:
Jenny Grossenbacher, Research Associate
jenniferg@montana.edu
Montana Pollution Prevention Program
Montana State University Extension
Taylor Hall, P.O. Box 173580
Bozeman, MT 59717-3580
Toll-free in MT: (888) MSU-MTP2
Office: (406) 994-3451
Fax: (406) 994-5417
2007 EcoStar Award Press Release
2007 EcoStar Award Ceremony Photos
Group Photo with Governor Schweitzer
(enlarged image)
Group Photo (includes all 2007 EcoStar Award Recipients)
(enlarged image)
2007 EcoStar Recipients:
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Eco-terric - Bozeman
(photo unvavailable) |
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Jeff Junkert Construction, Inc. - Billings
(photo unavailable) |
Kenyon Noble Lumber Company - Belgrade
(photo unavailable) |
Lindquist Craftsmanship, LLC - Bozeman
(photo unavailable) |
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Moss Mountain Inn - Columbia Falls
(photo unavailable) |
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Patrick Crowley, MT D.E.Q. - Helena
(photo unavailable) |
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Treecycle - Huson
(photo unavailable) |
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