In July 2008, the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau launched the Scottsdale Green by Design Awards program, recognizing Arizona companies for their efforts to be more sustainable. Categories included: Green, Greener and Greenest. The Green category recognizes businesses that created green projects, programs or campaigns; while the Greener designation is awarded for improvements on pre-existing efforts. The Greenest category is for companies that practice both green initiatives and offer green products or services.

2009 marks the second year the Scottsdale CVB has presented these awards to Arizona companies. Winners for 2009 are as follows: 

GREEN AWARD WINNER
The Orange Tree Golf Resort won in the Green category for installing a solar water heating system, which dramatically reduces natural gas emissions, for use in their on-site laundry and housekeeping area as well as for 20 guest rooms. It is estimated that the resort will decrease their associated natural gas bill by 50% and eliminate approximately 100 tons of carbon emissions annually. In six months, the company hopes to expand this green practice to all guest rooms.

GREENER AWARD WINNER
The Greener award was given to the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch for its ongoing improvements of green practices. The resort's most recent sustainable projects include a 12,000-square-foot solar hot water system and the installation of a "cool roof" system. Thus far, the Hyatt has achieved proven results from the solar hot water system of up to a 41% reduction of natural gas within a given month. They are now servicing as a model for other Hyatt properties.

GREENEST AWARD WINNER
The leading companies were recognized with the Greenest award - the Desert Botanical Garden and O'Neil Printing. The Desert Botanical Garden implemented a wide array of recycling and waste reduction programs, not only to reduce their waste, but also to help educate the public and act as a voice in the community. The Garden's composting of green waste is eliminating around 180 tons of waste from a landfill annually. In addition, they offer numerous programs and classes to the public, an increasing number of which relate to sustainability.

O'Neil Printing strive to maintain an eco-friendly environment within the workplace and helps clients decrease their carbon footprint by providing eco-sustainable products and coaching clients toward greener options. According to an O'Neil recycling partner, in the second quarter of 2009 alone, O'Neil's recycling program saved 2, 157 trees, nearly 900 thousand gallons of water, almost 50 thousand gallons of fuel, over one-half million kilowatt hours of electricity and almost 400 cubic yards of landfill space.

2008 AWARD WINNERS
Green Award: Hotel Valley Ho
Greener Award: Fairmont Scottsdale
Greenest Award: Edwards Design Group 

Interested in entering the Scottsdale Green by Design Awards? Applications for the 2010 awards will be available in July 2010. For more information, contact Kelly Tope at ktope@scottsdalecvb.com or 480-889-2711.