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Sudbury's environmental leaders honoured for going green

Green Economy North holds second annual evening of recognition

For the second year in a row, Green Economy North celebrated environmental leaders at their second annual Evening of Recognition on April 12. 

A total of six nominees were up for the 2018 Environmental Champion Award, with three winners taking home some hardware.

The winners of the 2018 Environmental Champion Awards are:

  • Greg Cantin- Cantin Insurance Services LTD, The Co-operators
  • Max Burt- Burt Country Farm Meats
  • Hiawatha Osawamick- Hiawatha’s Catering

Green Economy North held a smaller award ceremony on Thursday afternoon to present a pair of awards for best new member of the year and green team of the year.

Adam Eusepi accepted the award for best new member. Eusepi is the general manager of Morin Industrial Coating, a company that specializes in sand blasting and casting projects.

"I saw the awards in the news last year and knew that we had to get involved," said Eusepi. "Green Economy North has been great with introducing us to new initiatives and it's been great for our company too as far as reducing waste and saving energy."

Morin has switched out its facility’s lights to LEDs, and has undertaken an impressive project to reduce and reuse their sandblasting medium, significantly reducing the amount of material that would otherwise end up in landfill.

The Most Engaged Green Team award went to Hiamedia, with Skye Little accepting the award on the company's behalf. Hiamedia, a printing company that specializes in signs and business cards, has been working side by side with Green Economy North since the organization's beginnings.

"As a printing company we've been working green for 22 years," said Little. "We're always looking at how we can reduce our waste and what we do with it. We got involved with Green Economy North the day they got going. Through this time we've learned that being green makes you lean, you save money on things like energy and waste and you're helping the planet, it's a win-win."

Earlier this spring, Green Economy North called on the community to nominate local Environmental Champions. The response far exceeded expectations, with nominations coming from a wide variety of organizations, sectors, and businesses. 

“It’s been an incredible year,” said Richard Eberhardt, Program Director for Green Economy North. “We doubled our membership, and have started expanding into new sectors and project areas. There’s no doubt that the green business movement is catching on in Sudbury, and we’re thrilled to be on the crest of that wave.”

There were six finalists total, and three that warranted honorable mention for their contributions:

  • David Murray- Owner/Operator, EcoLife Home Improvements
  • Cheryl Recollect- Senior Environmental Communications Analyst, Chiefs of Ontario
  • Pat Tessier- Chair of Facilities, Management Program Council at Health Sciences North

“We only have one earth,” said Hiawatha Osawamick, 2018 Environmental Champion. 

“Taking action for the environment and sustainability can help reduce our harmful shock on the climate, and ultimately protect the land we live on. I want limit damage to the lifestyles of future generations to come. To have healthy communities, we need clean water, air, natural resources, and a nontoxic environment.”

Sustainable Organization of the Year was awarded to the United Church Sudbury Presbytery Pilot Project. 

“Sustainable Organization of the Year is Green Economy North’s ‘Best in Show” said Eberhardt. “It goes to an organization that has worked to reduce its carbon footprint through planning, operational improvements, capital investments and staff engagement.”

The United Church of Canada Sudbury Presbytery Pilot Project members are leading by example, suggesting that environmental stewardship and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a way to demonstrate care for all of creation. 

Despite small budgets and limited staff, the United Churches have undertaken a variety of energy-saving initiatives, including upgrading insulation, installing “smart” programmable thermostats, and educating congregation members on the small changes that have big impact.  

The second Green Economy North annual report was also released on Thursday, which showcases the achievements of the 40+ members, and the highlights of 2017. It is available at www.greeneconomynorth.ca.


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