Greener South Loop Awards

The Alliance for a Greener South Loop celebrated the winners of the first annual Greener South Loop Awards a few weeks ago (in October) at South Loop eatery Tapas Valencia. South Loop buildings and businesses were recognized for their progress in charting the path for how all businesses and buildings will operate in years to come.

It seems that some operations, like recycling, have almost become a standard throughout the South Loop. But our honorees have raised the bar for managing business and building operations in earth-friendly ways.

Judges of the award applications were Angela Ford, President and CEO of TAG Sustainable Consulting Group, and Dana Kenney, Assistant Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of the Environment, Energy and Sustainable Business Division.

Winners fell into three categories: Green, Greener, and Greenest.

2009 recipients of this recognition are:

Institutions
Greenest: Columbia College of Chicago

Businesses
Green: The UPS Store
Greener: Flaco's Tacos and Hackney's restaurants
Greenest: South Loop Best Buy

Residential Buildings
Green: Film Exchange Lofts
Greener: Dearborn Tower Condominium Association
Greenest: State Place Condominium Association

Award winners received a plaque and will display window decals that recognize their efforts. This was an important first step in the Alliance's commitment to recognize and celebrate progress along the journey that will take us closer to our goal of minimizing our community's environmental impact. In the coming months we'll be documenting and sharing the practices of our winners.