Criteria and Categories
2012 Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of:

  • Leadership
  • Significant environmental benefits
  • Potential model for business community
  • Demonstrated program commitment
2012 Categories

Acterra Award for Sustainability
Environmental Innovation
Environmental Project
Sustainable Built Environment

Category Descriptions

Please note that each eligible program may only be submitted to one category. You may reference the Fictional Program Examples for assistance in helping select the most appropriate category for your program.

The following descriptions are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Applicants are not expected to meet all of the bulleted guidelines.

Acterra Award for Sustainability

Acterra’s highest award recognizes businesses whose programs demonstrate leadership in many or all of the other award categories and achieve all three pillars of sustainability (people, planet, profit).

Model Programs Strive To:

  • Create holistic programs and processes that respect and protect all stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, investors, local and global communities, customers, and the natural environment
  • Implement processes that use natural resources efficiently and eliminate hazardous or toxic pollutants
  • Implement a comprehensive carbon reduction strategy, including commute and transportation and travel avoidance programs, that serves to minimize carbon emissions to the greatest extent possible
  • Educate employees, suppliers and customers about actions they can to reduce their own environmental impact
  • Conduct outreach to the local community through philanthropic, educational and other efforts

Environmental Innovation

Rewards the successful implementation of a new or significantly improved environmental product, solution or technology, such as a new business service, a new invention or a new way of solving an environmental problem.

Model Programs Strive To:

  • Create unique and innovative products or solutions that provide significant environmental and social benefit
  • Demonstrate technical feasibility
  • Achieve commercial viability
  • Minimize environmental impact of the product or service by utilzing non-toxic and recycled materials, clean production strategies, leasing options where possible, and product take-back programs

Environmental Project

Rewards a specific environmental project that has demonstrated significant leadership in a focused area, such as resource conservation (water, materials and/or energy), educational outreach, pollution prevention or minimizing carbon footprint.

The following is a list of Sample Projects and is not intended to be all inclusive of the type of projects that may apply, nor a list of requirements for an applicant.

Sample Projects Include:

  • A comprehensive commute and transportation program that prioritizes travel avoidance
  • An innovative environmental education program
  • A landscape project that protects and restores habitat and open space
  • An outreach program committed to improving the quality of life of its employees and the community
  • An exemplary energy or water conservation program
  • An employee Green Team that affects substantial changes within the organization or among its employees

Sustainable Built Environment

Rewards a building project that conserves natural resources and promotes the health and well-being of its occupants.

Model Programs Strive To:

  • Incorporate green building design elements (energy efficiency, recycled and least toxic materials use, etc.)
  • Maximize use of existing structures/materials
  • Incorporate deconstruction where applicable
  • Use interior design features such as plants, natural lighting and pleasant aesthetics
  • Incorporate sustainable interior furnishings and equipment
  • Utilize materials and techniques that reflect sound environmental practices
  • Go beyond compliance with Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) standards
  • Reduce sprawl, facilitate public transportation, and create livable cities
  • Design sustainable outdoor areas that include low-water, non-invasive and native plant landscaping, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly features, and which preserve open space and natural habitats where possible.