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.

2010 marks the second year the Scottsdale CVB has presented these awards to Arizona companies. Winners for 2010 are as follows: 

GREEN AWARD WINNER
Solar Breeze won in the Green category for creating an eco-friendly robotic pool cleaner. No hoses or cords are needed as the Solar-Breeze pool skimmer only operates on direct sunlight. It saves energy, money and time while keeping the pool clean of dirt, debris, pollen and oils. Solar Breeze is the only green pool cleaner in the world that costs absolutely nothing to operate.

GREENER AWARD WINNER
The Greener award was given to FireSky Resort & Spa for implementing EarthCare initiatives and earning the state's first Green Seal certification. The resort demonstrated sustainable practices such as recycling paper, and collecting unused soaps and gently used bedding and sheets for donation to local shelters. They created a compost program that saves all food scraps to feed to pigs at a farm in Payson. In March alone, the hotel diverted 6,447 pounds of food from landfills. To qualify for the Green Seal certification, the FireSky Resort demonstrated practices of waste minimization, energy efficiency, and environmentally sensitive purchasing.

GREENEST AWARD WINNER
Green Choice Solar was recognized with the Greenest award for designing, installing and maintaining solar systems that provide 100 percent of energy needs for businesses, school districts and residential properties. So far, their systems have offset 164,800 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 1,910 trees planted or 14 cars taken off the road. Green Choice Solar helps reduce energy costs by installing solar systems around the state.

2009 AWARD WINNERS
Green Award: The Orange Tree Golf Resort
Greener Award: Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Greenest Award: Desert Botanical Garden and O'Neil Printing

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.