APPLICATION PROCESS
- There is no cost to apply.
- Here are a few examples of sustainable best practices or projects--solar panels, energy efficient lighting, innovative storm water project, green roof, green walls, rain gardens, increased access to healthy foods for your staff or residents, creating new green jobs, composting, tree planting, volunteer at a stream clean-up.

Tips for Applying:
- Any data is helpful but not required. Examples include energy reduced (BTU's, kWh's), pollution reduced or recycled (pounds), and water saved (gallons).

- This is not a writing contest; applications will be judged on their sustainability efforts.

- Past winners need to demonstrate continual improvement (i.e. new project or program) to be considered for an additional award.

After reviewing all submissions, the DOEE Awards Committee will choose the preliminary winners. The award winners will undergo a compliance check and review by senior staff.

NOTE: All prospective winners must agree to a compliance check and an on-site visit. All winners must agree to a share their story through a written case study, made available on the DOEE website. All businesses or organizations must have a physical location (office) in the District of Columbia.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Lynn Wilhere, Urban Sustainability Administration, DOEE, at SustainableBusinessRegistry@dc.gov

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* 1. Name

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* 2. Title

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* 3. Business

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* 4. Website

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* 5. Contact Information

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* 6. In what Ward of the District are you located?
Don't know? Check here.

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* 7. Number of Employees (or full-time employee equivalent)

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* 8. Annual revenue (option)

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* 9. My business is currently enrolled in the Destination DC membership program.*  

*Destination DC membership is not required to apply for a District Sustainability Award.

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* 10. Is your organization in compliance with all environmental laws?
In order to be eligible, you must be in compliance with all District of Columbia environmental regulations.

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* 11. I agree to a site visit.
All winners receive site visits to record a personalized promotional video and confirm your described activities.

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* 12. Briefly describe your business in two to three sentences.  (Optional question but encouraged)

This description will help judges understand the broader context of your sustainability work, but is not scored as part of your application.

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* 13. Tell us about your business’ history and relationships working with DC communities to create equitable change.  (20 points)

Consider ways you empower, engage, and connect with your community stakeholders.

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* 14. Describe what your business is doing to make DC more environmentally sustainable. For more information, go to sustainable.dc.gov.  (40 points)

This could be increasing the environmental sustainability of your organization’s operations such as responsibly managing your waste, making your space more energy efficient, using less water, or something else. Alternatively, it could also mean offering products or services that impact sustainability such as installing solar, helping residents go green, or providing environmentally-friendly landscaping, or many other things.

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* 15. Describe the ways your business is addressing inequities in DC. (40 points)

Racial equity is a core tenant of the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan. Communities of color are more prone to experience deep and persistent gaps in income, health, and employment. While the District’s prosperity is growing, the benefits have not been widely shared by all residents. Less affluent areas often experience more crime, higher mortality rates, lower income, and fewer amenities. Describe ways that your operations and work address these inequities.

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* 16. Describe any creative strategies that your team has used to fund your project. (Up to 20 Bonus points)

How have you funded your sustainability initiatives? Are you a small organization that has accomplished a lot with a small budget? Bonus points will be given to businesses that have built creative partnerships and made great impact with less money.

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* 17. What are challenges that your business has faced in implementing sustainability and equity?  (Optional question but encouraged)

Your answer will not be scored, but will help DOEE better address these challenges for your organization and others.

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