Madison, Wis. — The Cleaner and Greener certification program recognized the environmental achievements of nearly 30 companies and organizations and more than a dozen individuals. These groups and individuals were recognized for their dedication to reducing pollution and maintaining environmental stewardship at the highest levels of the program.

The Cleaner and Greener certification program helps create financial rewards in the market place through preferential purchasing throughout the supply chain from companies making these positive actions. It also establishes financial rewards for building owners based on the emission reductions benefits of energy efficiency and other emission-reducing actions.

“Today, Cleaner and Greener recognizes and certifies companies, organizations, and events for their constructive actions to reduce energy use and air pollution,” said Michael Arny, president of the Leonardo Academy, Inc., that manages the Cleaner and Greener program. “As we look to tomorrow, the scope of the Cleaner and Greener program will be expanded to address the full range of actions by companies and organizations to reduce environmental impacts on land and water, as well as air. It will also address specific product certification. Cleaner and Greener will become a comprehensive sustainability certification program for all the natural environment.”

Johnson Controls, Inc., Philips Lighting and Aspen Skiing Co., were all recognized at Level 4 Certification, the highest level.

Georgina Sikorski, commercial marketing manager for DuPont Antron, announced that the company recently received the DuPont Sustainable Growth Award, including $5,000 for its environmental successes leading to the Environmentally Preferable Product certification of Antron nylon.

Those acknowledged for their Cleaner and Greener Certified Events were the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES), EnvironDesign, Global Green, Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Olympic Winter Games of 2002, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).