The Van Vlahakis

Sustainability Excellence Award

2017

Presented by

Sponsored by

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Introduction

Sustain OC and Earth Friendly Products, the maker of ECOS™ environmentally friendly cleaning products, annually recognize excellence in the sustainability initiatives of businesses and organizations that are based or conduct operations in Orange County, California. The Van Vlahakis Sustainability Excellence Award recognizes the outstanding performance, programs and projects of a company that goes beyond the norm to advance environmental initiatives and sustainability and makes these examples available to others who may emulate them.

The winner will be presented with the 2017 Van Vlahakis Sustainability Excellence Award at the Sustain OC 2017 Conference and Expo held on October 19, 2017. Prizes for the award include a complimentary one-year Sustain OC membership and up to $3,000 retail value of ECOS cleaning products, for a total value of approximately $5,000.

All finalists will be invited to attend the conference as guests of the Sustain OC board of directors.

Eligibility

You may nominate your business or organization, or any other business or organization, that demonstrates environmental improvements and cost savings associated with resource use efficiency. The nominee must be environmentally responsible through its services, products, technologies, business operations or projects. The business, product or program must have a positive impact on employees, customers, the environment and/or the community. Consulting and service firms are encouraged to apply for an award for a project within their own business but may not apply for a project performed for a client. Consultants and service firms may assist their client with the award application, but the award recipient would be the organization where the improvements actually took place. Applicants or projects must:

❒ Agree to share their project or program with others

❒ Provide supporting program documentation over a nine-month period within the last two years

Award winners from the previous three years are not eligible to participate again this year. Third-party nominations must be accompanied by a written authorization from the nominated party agreeing to be considered for the award.

Regulatory Compliance

Applicants must include a statement at the end of the application confirming that the nominee is not subject to an environmental enforcement action or notice of violation from the U.S. EPA or California EPA. An organization facing such a compliance action is not eligible to receive

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an award. Semifinalists for the award will be verified with regulatory agencies to confirm compliance status.

Directions: Please fill out the information below completely. All applications must be received by September 22, 2017. All responses are reviewed by the Awards Committee unless otherwise noted. Only submissions completed in full are eligible. Completed applications should be no longer than five pages. Attachments are allowed, but it is at the discretion of the reviewers to review them. Confidential or proprietary processes, technologies or business practices should be clearly identified in the application.

Business/Organization Nominee:

Address:

Contact Name:

Phone: E-mail:

Name of the project or program:

Project or program activity dates:

Beginning: Ending (if ongoing, please indicate):

1. Provide a description of the project or program. (150 words max)

2. How are the environmental benefits of this project transferable to other locations, industries, or organizations? (200 words max)

3. Describe internal organizational changes that have occurred as a result of this project, as well as changes with suppliers and customers. For example, what was upper management’s involvement with the project and/or what new corporate/ organizational pollution prevention policies were developed as a result of the project or program? (200 words max)

4. Describe other benefits, innovations or unique aspects of the project or program that do not fit under the above categories. (200 words max)

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5. Explain how the success of your project eliminated or reduced waste, toxicity or pollution as compared to past years or as compared to standards, averages or common practice? (200 words max)

About the Awarding Organizations:

Sustain OC accelerates sustainability in the greater Orange County area through innovation, collaboration and education.

Earth Friendly Products is a leader in manufacturing environmentally friendly cleaning products. Family owned and operated since 1967, Earth Friendly Products makes ECOS™ Laundry Detergent and over 200 other affordable, plant-powered cleaners that are safer for people, pets and the planet. Made in sustainable facilities in Orange County and across the U.S., ECOS cleaners are made using thoughtfully sourced global ingredients and 100% renewable energy. Made without dyes, parabens, phosphates or phthalates, ECOS cleaners are pH balanced, readily biodegradable and never tested on animals. Earth Friendly Products has received many awards for its innovations in safer green chemistry, including the U.S. EPA’s 2017 Safer Choice Partner of the Year. Sustain OC awarded Earth Friendly Products its “Company of the Year” award in 2013.Earth Friendly Products is the first company to have achieved the unprecedented "trifecta" of sustainable manufacturing: carbon neutrality, water neutrality and Zero Waste Platinum certification. The company saves over 53 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year and has restored over 10 million gallons of water to critically depleted ecosystems. In addition, Earth Friendly Products has achieved the highest level Platinum Zero Waste certification, diverting over 95% of its waste from landfills and incineration. ECOS products are available at major club and grocery retailers and natural foods stores throughout the U.S. and in over 60 countries and online at www.ecos.com.

The Fine PrintActivities submitted must have shown substantial progress by June 30, 2017. Confidential or proprietary processes, technologies, or business practices should be clearly identified in the application. Finalists may be visited for verification of activities. An organization must be in good standing with environmental laws and regulations to be eligible for an award. Applicants with current or pending violations of environmental laws and regulations from the U.S. EPA or California EPA are not eligible to receive an award. Awarded optionally, based on nominations received that meet award requirements.

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