Ecostar

Deadline:  AUGUST 1, 2025

Is your small business or organization conserving energy or water, reducing solid and hazardous waste, maximizing efficiencies, or reducing CO2 emissions?

The EcoStar Awards Program can give you the public recognition you deserve and provide you with technical assistance and funds to implement new pollution prevention measures!

EcostarWinnersWithGovernor

What does the EcoStar Award include?

  • Ecostars receive technical assistance from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center to help identify areas to implement pollution prevention. 
  • Ecostarsreceive a $500 mini grant to apply towards new pollution prevention efforts. 
  • EcoStars are honored at an awards ceremony at the Capitol in Helena.
  • EcoStars are featured in press releases distributed to newspapers, magazines and trade publications statewide.
  • EcoStars receive a plaque of recognition, window decals, and a camera-ready copy of the EcoStar logo for use in advertising.

Renewal- EcoStar recognition is valid for one year from the time of award. Recognition is renewable, but businesses must reapply each year and show progress in pollution prevention.

How can my business or organization earn EcoStar status?

Montana small businesses or organizations can earn an EcoStar award by demonstrating achievement in waste reduction, energy conservation, and/or water conservation within the past year. Below are some of the environmentally responsible steps you can take to improve the performance of your business:

  • Conserving Energy
  • Conserving Water
  • Using Less Hazardous Products
  • Purchasing Products in Bulk
  • Reducing Packaging
  • Solvent Distillation
  • Inventory Control

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Why does it make good business sense to become an EcoStar?

How much money could your business save if your material use was cut by 35-50%? How much money could your business save by changing one of your processes? What if you could use one of your waste streams to heat your building? What if you made these changes, saved money, and reduced your regulatory requirements, all at the same time?

The bottom line is that most of the pollution prevention achievements that will earn you anEcoStar Award will also save you money.

Here are some other business benefits to becoming an EcoStar:

      • Gain a Competitive Advantage
      • Attract New Customers
      • Enhance Customer Loyalty
      • Increase Employee Satisfaction

How are winners chosen?

The EcoStar awards program challenges you to keep improving your business' environmental performance every year. The EcoStar award may give you a competitive advantage, but you don't have to compete with other businesses to be a winner. All you have to do is show that in the last year your business has made improvements in reducing solid and hazardous waste, conserving energy and water, or reducing C02 emissions.

The Montana Pollution Prevention Program will judge your application based on:

  • Environmental benefits achieved and waste prevented
  • Commitment to pollution prevention
  • Innovation of pollution prevention activities

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How do I apply?

Eligibility Criteria:

Any Montana business, institution, non-profit etc., can earn an EcoStar award by demonstrating achievement in energy conservation, water conservation,waste reduction and/or reduction of CO2 emissions within the past year. There is no charge for participating in this program. Montana small businesses or organizations are eligible for EcoStar recognition if they meet the following criteria:

      • Located in Montana.
      • In compliance with all environmental regulations at the time of application.
      • Gone beyond minimum state and federal standards.

Application Procedure:

Be as thorough as possible. Applications are judged individually according to your specific waste streams and level of commitment to pollution prevention. Pollution prevention and material reuse activities are rated higher than recycling, pollution control, and treatment.

Please utilize the EPA P2 measurement tools

EcoStar Application (online)

     *Note: The online application cannot be saved til submited. 

EcoStar Application (Word Doc)

DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2025

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How do I nominate  a business?

Do you know a Montana small business that is taking environmentally friendly steps to reduce waste and maximize efficiency? Help them get the public recognition they deserve. Nominate them for an EcoStar  Award!

Instructions:

Simply click on this nomination form. Fill it out and submit by August 15.

MTP2 will notify the business of their nomination and request additional information from the business.

We thank you for your help in getting Montana businesses the recognition and public thanks they deserve.

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What do past winners say?

"Thank you for all your efforts in the Ecostar program. The ceremony was outstanding. It was great to get the chance to learn more about what is happening in Montana and be able to visit with the other winners. The governor’s comments were perfect for the occasion. Thanks again!!" - Brian Patrick, Superintendent, Townsend K12 School District

"What wonderful coverage we got today in our hometown newspaper! This coverage really helps to give legitimacy and recognition to our programs and students. It will go a long way toward helping us jump over whatever hurdles are next in our path, as we try to keep our club and our class solid." - Jill Van Alstyne, Teacher, Helena High Green Group

"The EcoStar Program has really propelled interest by our employees to go further in cutting our waste. Our customers have taken a real interest in what we're doing now." - Mark Miller, Imperial Dry Cleaners, Kalispell

"This program is a great idea because it raises awareness with our customers. A lot of people saw the article in the paper. It is nice to finally be recognized for the things we do to conserve." - Sharon Francisco, Sportsman Club, Columbia Falls

"If it hadn't been for your program, I probably wouldn't have been in the frame of mind to make all these changes." - Bob Wolf, Garlick Helicopters, Hamilton

"We value the EcoStar designation. A lot of customers have commented favorably about our EcoStar status, and I like having something over our competitors." - Dan Burkhart, The Stillwater Lodge, Absarokee

For more EcoStar information and/or an application, please contact:

Jenny Grossenbacher, Director
jenniferg@montana.edu
Montana Pollution Prevention Program
304 Taylor Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717
Office: (406) 994-4292  *  Fax: (406) 994-5417

2024 Ecostars

*To be announced September 2024

2023 Ecostars

* = repeat recipient

2022 Ecostars

* = repeat recipient

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