Burpee Museum of Natural History

From native plants to a rain garden, this museum is involved with sustainable site management. As a result of their use of a worm bin, rain garden, brush fence, mulch rings, and composting they have been certified through the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat. They encourage everyone to learn how to certify their own backyard by including food, water, cover and places for wildlife. Not everything they do is on the ground as they also have a rooftop garden (green roof) covered with living plants offering not only beauty but improved air quality and a reduction of storm drain runoff.

** Choices Natural Market –

In this food purveying business the owners believe “it’s ALL about choices”. When starting the business, they chose to think about biodegradable packaging; the elimination of plastic bags; and recycling (nearly 16 tons since opening in July 2005) which is only a partial list of the accomplishments. Choices Natural Market allows their consumers to drive the market by providing a place where nearly everything sold is examined to discover its environmental friendliness. Food products offered are grown or manufactured within 300 miles and not by factory farms. Other items are chosen for sale based on their eco-content. Choices Market brings the principles together with a newsletter offering environmental education and the statement that “they are committed to building a sustainable future”.

Coronado Performing Arts Center

The Coronado takes waste conservation very seriously in the forms of eliminated program printing by combining more shows into individual books and printing the booklets on recycled paper. All paper and cardboard is recycled and they are dealing most effectively with the thousands of plastic water bottles sold during each performance. Office lights as well as theater house lights are kept off whenever possible and computers are shut down (not simply sent to sleep mode) at the end of the working period.

Eclipse, Inc.

A leading worldwide manufacturer of products and systems for industrial heating and drying applications, Eclipse has market share leadership in the Americas and as such, the company takes personal responsibility to ensure all of their activities are focused on responsible environmental stewardship. Eclipse recognized 10 years ago that it is long term sustainability that will determine the quality of life on our planet and as such, that they can help preserve our ecosystems for years to come. Eclipse is directly involved in the manufacture of ethanol, bio-oil and bio-diesel at sites around the globe. Their locations provides scrap bins at to capture any reusable metal or corrugated waste in the manufacturing process and employees have also kicked in with a small recycling program of containers and paper. Though small in impact compared to the combustion systems they produce that are becoming more efficient, the spirit of community involvement and environmental concern are core to the Eclipse value structure.

Forest City Gear

The efforts are this company now has people saying “but your factory doesn’t smell or feel like a factory”. A manufacturer of parts for everything from Harley-Davidson motorcycles to the Mars Rover, this company examined what it would take to make that possible. One of their ways of doing this has been to send the oil they use in manufacturing “outside” to be cooled. This prevents the air conditioning from kicking on and saves on electric bills and, in the end, cuts back on the amount of oil they have to dispose. Recycling hits all corners of the building and an energy audit has them installing energy efficient lights throughout the building. There are awnings that adjust to the sunlight to save and both company cars are hybrids.

** Freedom Field Renewable Energy Project–

The goal of FFRE, led by Winnebago County officials and industry participants, is a broader vision that will spur economic development in our region. A solar thermal subsystem will provide the heating and cooling of the renewable energy technology center that will enable development and commercialization of renewable energy components and systems. In 2009, the project will include the installation of a biomass-to-energy subsystem expected to provide an additional 120,000 BTU/hour of usable heat captured from the energy conversion process. The previously vacant building will be renovated applying green building design concepts throughout. Education and public outreach are key dimensions of the project.

Golan Liberman Contemporary Art Gallery

This is more than an art gallery as it is also the home of the new Green Resource Center of Rockford. All artists are encouraged to use reused, reclaimed and recycled materials in their creations. There are wood pieces that have used materials washed from the Rock River and articles made by trees which fell in a storm about 4 years ago. Artwork includes that from the owner as well as artistry by numerous other local artists. And now it is also the first gallery in the Midwest to become a Green Resource Center providing information and materials about renewable energy products and installations (solar, wind and geothermal), waste prevention, eco-friendly products, appliances and supplies, classes and lectures on energy and water conservation, transportation in a sustainable lifestyle, The gallery is also a perfect location for a “Green Event”. Everything about the event at the gallery can be environmentally conscious from the food, beverages and entertainment and the service and silverware needed.

Integrated Energy Works!

This LLC corporation has five members of Integrated Energy Works who have influenced or enabled many of the renewable energy projects that are underway in our community under the sponsorship of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICEDF). The company is dedicated to promoting and implementing intelligently integrated renewable energy systems similar to those it has already accomplished including: a campus-wide lighting upgrade for Rock Valley College; special permits through the Rockford City Council for installing window turbines in an urban setting for Just Goods; concepts for integration of solar/wind/geo with deep-cycle batteries for Nicholas Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; and solar thermal and foam insulation for Zion Developments Lantow Lofts among others.

**J. L. Clark –

A company that represents metal decorating and metal fabrication, J. L. Clark has chosen to approach “going green” in two ways: by helping direct improvement of manufacturing processes, and involving their employees in the development process. Every element of the criteria was included in their nomination. The company has a cross functional Green / Sustainability team that meets on a regular basis and works collaboratively with their Pennsylvania plant. The company also works closely with their vendors and suppliers to discover additional new ideas. Their promotion of green/sustainable solutions has led to their direct impact on “sustainability” becoming, for the first time, a topic at this year’s International Metal Decoration Association Convention to be held in Chicago.

Members Alliance Credit Union

Members Alliance has made many small changes which add up to a big impact including setting all printers and copy machines to duplexing, encouragement to their customers to accept e-statements, separation of recycling materials, paper recycling refilling of printer cartridges, purchase of recycled materials, a roll-over to compact fluorescent light bulbs, addition of special flush valve on toilets and to help bring their customers into the green area, a free shred day during money smart week with all the shred going to paper recycling.

Morrissey Realty Group, L.L.C.

Morrissey is located in a 1927 era historic buildings which many people wanted to raze for a parking lot. The building now houses not only businesses but residential. In 2006 incandescent and halogen bulbs were replaced with compact fluorescents. The apartments feature Energy Star appliances. The business has a recycling program that includes paper, plastic and metal. Ink and toner cartridges are also recycled.

Olson Ecological Solutions, L.L.C.

This business is applies conservation site design techniques. Most projects focus on the planning and design of natural area management and sustainable site management working with governmental agencies, not-for-profit organizations, developers, homeowners associations, and landowners to provide sustainable land planning and bring the beauty and function of nature into urban and suburban settings. Olson focuses on water conservation and improving water quality through watershed planning, streambank and natural area buffer restoration, monitoring and providing consultation for natural buffer areas as well as monitoring, researching and planning pond remediation.

**Road Ranger

Road Ranger participates in programs and processes for protecting and preserving the environment in their daily operations including promotion of pollution prevent, waste reduction and conservation. They were the first major truck stop chain in the Midwest to adopt year round bio-diesel distribution. Not only is available for sale, they use the same fuel for their fuel transport vehicles. They are changing the face of the job of the over-the-road trucker by offering paperless payment options allowing online banking to reduce the amount of paper, by providing invoice scanning solutions, and are using teleconference solutions for their corporate and store meetings. They estimate the teleconferencing has reduced fuel consumption by more than 7,500 gallons per year.

Solergy Alternative Energy Solutions

This company was one of the first in Illinois devoted solely to providing renewable energy. They specialize in installation of solar hot air, solar hot water (solar thermal), solar electric (solar photovoltaic or PV) as well as small wind systems. Installations of simple systems will cut the heating needs up to 25% for a home or business. They carry their message to events and trade shows, and have taught workshops at Sauk Valley College. In 2007, Solergy installed the largest Illinois residential solar electric system (8.4 kW). Their installation at a Geneva Illinois gas station has meant when all other stations have failed when the electric utility service was interrupted, that station was still in operation because of the solar electric system (5.6 kW) that they installed.

SwedishAmerican Healthcare Systems

Making big strides with installation of a water treatment system that saves the amount of chemicals used to treat water going to their cooling towers, SwedishAmerican also has installed a variable frequency drive (VFD) on large energy using equipment which helps the equipment run at peak energy and results in energy savings. Batteries, paper, aluminum, plastic and cardboard will be recycled in a new collection program. Wood pallets and fluorescent bulbs are already sent for reclaim. Motion detecting fixtures were added in the new Heart Hospital and lab and is a program that will continue as the system continues to expand.

Trekk Cross-Media

This company’s “cross-media” approach to marketing communications helps their clients reduce their environmental impact through more targeted communications delivered across the media of choice for the recipient. This reduces not only paper waste, but clients garner better returns for their investments. The work product is design and implementation using computer workstations and systems. During construction, massive overhead lights were eliminated in favor of spot and task lighting. Bulbs in their track lighting have gradually been converted to fluorescent and LED bulbs and there are now NO incandescent in the building. Their flat screen monitors save more than half in energy usage over CRTs and also turn themselves off completely when not in use. Laptops use considerably less energy and have better hibernation and sleeping modes. Teleconferencing also has reduced traveling to clients’ locations. In some cases, utilization of laptops, cell phones and conference software has allowed staff to work from any location, again reducing transportation needs. Clients also accept e-invoices.

Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop

Although the shop does not use renewable energy products fo rheating and cooling, a high-efficiency HVAC rooftop unit was added during construction which drastically cuts energy usage. Wild Birds runs a multi-faceted waste prevention program in the store AND for its customers. Foods can be purchased in one-gallon milk jugs that have a “bottle deposit”. Customers have the incentive to bring the jugs back for refills. Disposable bags are discouraged and durable and reusable shopping bags are sold. All floodlights on the sales floor have been converted to CFLs. The bi-weekly newsletter has become an e-newsletters eliminating approximately 14,000 paper newsletters per year! Traditional recycling programs are in place in offices and a standard-size dumpster full is recycled each week. Co-owner Bob Bailey also spreads the word through guest editorials telling other businesses “You Can Go Green”.

Winnebago Energy Center / William Charles Company

Using methane gas from the Winnebago Landfill to power four Caterpillar engines to generate 6.4 MW of electricity is like annually taking 55,855 cars off the road; planting 75,636 acres of trees; not using 81,818 barrels of oil, and powering 5,000 Rockford homes – and that’s all of those things ALL YEAR, every year. Landfill gas is a natural by-product of the decomposition of municipal solid waste If allowed to enter the atmosphere it contributes to global warming. At the Winnebago Energy Center, the methane gas is rerouted to produce electricity. The sister company is also committed to the “green” movement and is doing what they can to preserve and protect the environment by engaging in a variety of projects from using reclaimed oil to heat buildings and fire asphalt plants to building and maintaining hundreds of acres of wetlands and open space. They go further with using recapped tires on more than 200 garbage and dump trucks in their landfill operation; recycling of nearly 100% of their vehicle and equipment filters; use of 200,000 gallons of bio-diesel fuel with the hope of conversion to alternative fuel; and composting of 26,000 tons of yard waste per season. Officials says they are committed to the environment not only because our families, employees and fellow citizens are directly affected by the good stewardship, but because they believe in making a positive difference.

** Zion Development –

There is a great deal to say about this organization nominated by one of their suppliers. They are highlighted because of their commitment to renovating existing structures while conserving all possible materials, use of new materials made from recycled materials, and selection of equipment that uses conservation principles. Appliances and products used in their completions are purchased as close as possible to the sites to diminish transportation costs. The projects of the organization are living and working spaces including Grand Apartments, Lantow Lofts and Longwood Plaza. The circle is completed by Lantow Lofts, where an extensive data capturing and monitoring display system will enable the Lofts to become a “green” teaching tool.

These companies have a “green” goal, have involved their employees and are committed to helping provide education to others about what they are doing.

**2008 Winners

J.L. Clark - large business
Choices Natural Market - small business
Freedom Field - large organization
Zion Development - small organization