Nominations Now Being Accepted for Fifth Annual Environmental Excellence Awards

The Environmental Excellence Awards honor those who have taken exemplary steps toward becoming more environmentally responsible. Completed nomination forms are due March 26th and self-nominations are welcome. The program is open to anyone in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including the Metro East, and forms can be obtained at http://www.ceegr.org.

ST. LOUIS, MO (PRWEB) March 14, 2004 --Choose Environmental Excellence-Gateway Region (CEE-GR) is accepting nominations for its annual Environmental Excellence Awards, honoring those who have taken exemplary steps toward becoming more environmentally responsible. The program is open to anyone in the St. Louis metropolitan area including the Metro East, and forms can be obtained from CEE-GR by calling 314-962-4100 or visiting www.ceegr.org.

Awards are given to individuals, small and large businesses, governmental agencies, non-profit or community organizations, schools or universities, and faith communities. Completed nomination forms are due March 26th and self-nominations are welcome. Nominations should include a written summary of accomplishments, photographs, letters of support and related materials.

In each category, judges evaluate the total, tangible effects nominees have on the environment and the actions taken to achieve those results. Previous winners have been recognized for waste reduction, recycling, education programs, air and water treatment, and energy and water conservation. These champions are shining examples of people taking extraordinary steps to promote environmental excellence," said Maggie Michael, Ph.D., Executive Director of CEE-GR. Often they not only are making a positive impact on the environment but also are doing so in economical, creative and fun ways."

CEE-GR implemented the awards program four years go to fulfill its mission to encourage and celebrate environmental excellence. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Missouri History Museum on May 19th to publicly recognize their achievements and encourage others to take similar actions," said Michael. The greatest example is the one that you set."

According to Michael, the Environmental Excellence Awards are an excellent way for businesses to improve employee morale. Previous corporate champions include DuPont Flooring Systems, Target Stores, Laclede Gas Company, Westfield Shoppingtown -- Chesterfield, The Alpine Shop and Bank of America. Last year, CEE-GR also recognized Collinsville High School for the CHS Recycling Company staffed" by Special Education students. In 2003, the group participated in Campus Cleanup" activities and recycled 61 tons of paper, newspaper and magazines.

Choose Environmental Excellence -- Gateway Region (CEE-GR) is a not-for-profit central resource for environmental issues. CEE-GR offers services and programs for individuals, businesses, schools and faith communities that encourage environmental awareness. Launched in 1999 to serve the greater metropolitan St. Louis area, CEE-GR offers an online recycling and pollution prevention database, the annual Environmental Excellence Awards, an online calendar of environmental events and Simple Steps brochures. For more information, contact Margaret J. Michael, Ph.D., at info@ceegr.org or 314-962-4100 or visit http://www.ceegr.org.