Sustainable Business Awards

The organizations recognized at the 2023 Summit embody the SBR’s Principles to become a thriving and resilient business by establishing plans to reduce material waste, protect our waterways, optimize use of energy, and invest in our communities with an overall goal of reducing their footprint and becoming role models in the business community.

The following companies were recognized for their outstanding work in sustainability.

• Platinum Level: Curbell, National Grid, University at Buffalo, Niagara Malt
• Gold Level: Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Casella Waste Systems, Erie County, Harmac Medical Products, M&T Bank, NYPA, NYSERDA, Perry’s Ice Cream, Rich Products, Sunnking, Wendel
• Silver Level: Buffalo Renewables, CannonDesign, Catholic Health, Chautauqua Institution, Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, EnergyMark, Environmental Advantage Inc., Goldfarb Financial, LED Energy Solutions, Lexington Coop Markets, Modern Disposal Services, Montante Solar, PricewaterhouseCoopers US, Providence Farm Collective, Rigidized Metals Corp., Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, thinkPARALLAX, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Verdis Group, WSP USA Inc.
• Bronze Level: Eco_Logic Studios, Junk Free Skin, Tri-Main Development, WNY Land Conservancy

In addition to overall recognition, three companies and one individual were recognized in specific categories:

Most Innovative Sustainability Project awarded to Junk Free Skin for reimagining their janitorial hand soap, which incorporates water-soluble concentrated liquid soap pods delivered in fully compostable packaging. This innovative solution leads to a remarkable reduction of over 90% of shipping weight and a substantial decrease in the greenhouse gas emissions linked to hand soap transportation as well as a notable increase in packaging waste diverted from the landfill. The hand soap pods are currently being manufactured and packaged in Buffalo, NY and Junk Free Skin has adopted an innovative manufacturing approach, not only to produce their own products but also to offer white-label services to other companies and small businesses. They have made it their mission to ensure a low minimum order requirement, enabling small businesses to leverage their technology for the production of eco-friendly products

Community Impact Award was awarded to Providence Farm Collective (PFC) who, in 2022, operated 21 farms with 275 farmers and summer youth employees representing nine unique refugee, immigrant, and Black communities. They collaborated with the Buffalo Bills Foundation to aggregate produce from these farms, ensuring fair compensation for the farmers. This fresh produce, locally grown with sustainable farming practices, valued at $18,318 and totaling 8,757 pounds, was donated to four local food pantry partners, including the West Side Community Services, Friends of the Night People, Community Action Organization, and the Salvation Army, benefitting the communities these organizations serve. In this initiative, PFC purchased produce at fair prices from a diverse group of farmers and supplied it to local food pantries, addressing the challenge of food inequality and limited access to fresh, culturally-relevant, and affordable food in USDA-designated food deserts. By reinvesting their earnings into their communities, PFC farmers have contributed to the local economy, especially in neighborhoods deeply affected by racial disparities, economic disinvestment, and food inequality in Buffalo.

The Board of Directors Choice Award honored Curbell Medical Products. In the past year, Curbell has embarked on an executive-led program to align its actions with internationally recognized environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Rooted in their core values, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and the Global Compact, Curbell has executed a comprehensive restructuring of internal and external policies. They’ve extended their commitment across all facets of the organization by establishing an ESG Team, introducing new quantifiable metrics, and setting fresh goals in areas such as ethics, procurement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Sustainable Development Goals. In pursuit of these goals, Curbell partnered with EcoVadis to measure their sustainability journey compared to peers in similar industries. In a survey conducted by EcoVadis of 100,000 companies across 175 countries and 200 industries, Curbell, Inc. and all subsidiaries earned an impressive Silver rating, placing them in the top 25% of companies assessed.