Past Events & Winners
2020 E3 Awards
Entering its eighth year, the Atlanta E3 Awards recognize companies, organizations, and individuals for outstanding achievement in advancing clean tech and best-in-class sustainability practices in the marketplace.
The four winners were chosen from a highly competitive pool of finalists. The entries were carefully vetted and judged by an independent selection committee.
“This year’s Atlanta E3 winners represent the very best of the cutting-edge companies advancing what sustainability means for metro Atlanta’s businesses and their communities,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We are thrilled to showcase their impact in the region and in their respective industries.”
Follow along with Metro Atlanta Chamber social channels this week to learn more about the winners. Each of these winners will be highlighted in a 2021 series of events called Greenlight on Sustainability for a fireside chat style deep dive.
2020 Atlanta E3 Awards Winners:
Genuine Parts Company
Genuine Parts Company, as a leading distributor of auto and industrial replacement parts, office products and electric materials, has made great strides in making their logistics and supply chain more sustainable. Through fleet management and route optimization, they have reduced their fleet by 500 vehicles as well as recycled 20 tons of tires. In 2019, they reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by over 4,000 metric tons and their fuel consumption by over half a million gallons.
Atlanta Hawks/State Farm Arena
The Atlanta Hawks show a strong commitment to sustainability through the retrofitting of State Farm Arena to be the first NBA Arena awarded LEED Certification for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance, as well as through their community engagement work throughout Metro Atlanta. The arena is on a journey to become a Zero Waste facility, their partnership with vendors to focus on supply chain, recycling, composting, and waste management has been significant on the way to reaching that goal. One recent success is the team store eliminating single-use plastic bags for merchandise, and now using paper bags made from recycled cardboard.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawks partnered with Goodr to provide meals to food-insecure populations such as seniors and low-income students dependent on school meals, and to frontline healthcare workers. Earlier this summer, the organization partnered with Fulton County to create Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct at State Farm Arena. Early voting for the Georgia General Primary Runoff Election took place this summer at the arena and early voting for the November Presidential election will take place there as well. Hundreds of Hawks and State Farm Arena full-time and part-time employees were trained to serve as election workers to further support the operations.
Georgia Power
Georgia Power demonstrates environmental stewardship in many ways, through programs for stream bank restoration in their right-of-way, responsible water management and research in their power plants, investments in improving air quality and more. Last year, the Georgia Power Foundation created the Water Quality Grant Program, which awarded $1 million in grants this year to eight organizations across the state. The grants will help fund projects which are focused on preserving Georgia’s waterways, lakes and rivers through green infrastructure, pollution mitigation and more. The grant program is an extension of the work done to stabilize stream and riverbanks in the company’s right-of-way including the headwaters of the Flint south of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Kendeda Building – Georgia Institute of Technology
The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design is, for the moment, a one-of-kind building in the Southeast. It is a multi-disciplinary, non-departmental education building that is pursuing the Living Building Challenge – the world’s most ambitious building performance standard – which aligns with Georgia Tech’s longstanding vision for its campus to serve as a research center for innovation. Rather than being less bad than conventional buildings, The Kendeda Building is regenerative; it gives back more than it takes from the environment. For example, the building incorporates a substantial amount of salvaged materials, is designed to generate more onsite solar electricity each year than it consumes, has a rainwater-to-potable water treatment system, and treats human bio-waste onsite without a connection to the sewer.
2019 E3 Awards
Built Environment:
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Interface HQ – Interface & Perkins + Will
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Finalist: State Farm Arena
Clean Tech Innovation:
- Goodr
- Finalist: Grubbly Farms
Impact Award:
- Brad Currey
- Finalists: Pam Session, Dr. Beril Toktay
Moving the Needle (Transportation):
- Delta Air Lines
- Finalist: Genuine Parts Company
Resilient Communities:
- Atlanta Community Food Bank
- Finalist: PadSplit
2018 E3 Awards
Built Environment:
Achievement in efficient building design, smart growth or urban planning.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Finalist: MARTA - Transit Oriented Development
Clean Tech Innovation:
Companies or projects that are creating sustainable solutions in any clean tech sector (renewable energy, recycling, materials)
Synergy Solutions Crisp County
Finalist: Mohawk - EverStrand
Impact Award:
Recognizing visionary individuals advancing sustainability in Atlanta
Patricia Barmeyer, King & Spalding
Finalists: Mark Toro, North American Properties and Stephanie Stuckey, Southface
Liquid Assets:
Companies or projects making a difference for our sustainable water future
Finalist: Georgia Power
Moving the Needle:
Companies or projects that innovating in the transportation, mass transit and logistics sectors
Finalist: UPS
Resilient Communities:
Nonprofit, university, or public-private partnership program promoting collaboration, community involvement or education toward making Atlanta more sustainable
Finalist: Goodwill of North Georgia
2017 E3 Awards
Category: Built Environment Achievement in efficient building design, smart growth or urban planning.
Category: Clean Tech Companies or projects that are creating sustainable solutions in any clean tech sector (renewable energy, recycling, materials).
Category: Community Strong Nonprofit or university program that promotes collaboration and community involvement in making metro Atlanta more sustainable.
Category: Liquid Assets Companies or projects that make a difference in our sustainable water future.
Category: Moving the Needle Companies or projects that reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, increase fleet efficiency or achieve other transportation benefits for metro Atlanta.
- Georgia Ports Authority: Appalachian Regional Port
- Tim Trefzer, Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Georgia World Congress Center Authority
2016 E3 Awards
The Metro Atlanta Chamber hosts the Atlanta E3 Awards, which recognizes business achievement and innovation, clean technologies and sustainability solutions that enhance our economy and environment. Initiatives promoting collaboration, marketing and conservation education are also acknowledged for excellence.
The event was held at the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta on October 4th, 2016.
Category: New Venture
Startup, small business, or new business venture that advances sustainability through business solutions
Finalists Included PeachDish and Urjanet
Category: Moving the Needle
Companies or projects that reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, increase fleet efficiency or achieve other transportation benefits for Metro Atlanta
Finalists included Western Bikeway Extension – Gwinnett County Department of Transportation and MARTA Army
Category: Liquid Assets
Companies or projects that make a difference in our sustainable water future
Finalists included Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge and Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
Category: Community Strong
Non-profit or university program that promotes collaboration and community involvement in making Metro Atlanta more sustainable
Finalists included Proctor Creek North Avenue Study – Park Pride and Trees Atlanta
Category: Clean Tech Innovations
Companies or projects that are creating sustainable solutions in any clean tech sector (renewable energy, recycling, materials)
Finalists included Brownfield Program – GA Environmental Protection Division and Red Bag Solutions, Inc.
Category: Built Environment
Achievement in efficient building design, smart growth or urban planning
Finalists included Drew Charter Elementary Academy Campus – Perkins+Will and The City of Atlanta Climate Action Plan
Category: Trident Award
Recognizing visionary leaders advancing sustainability in Atlanta
Finalists included Peggy Ratcliffe, Live Thrive and Rony Delgarde, Global Paint for Charity
2015 E3 Awards
Atlanta’s most notable leaders in the sustainability and clean tech sector honored at the 2015 E3 Awards. Eight innovative companies, organizations and individuals were selected as Atlanta’s most notable leaders in the sustainability and clean tech sector at the 2015 E3 Awards. The Metro Atlanta Chamber’s (MAC) annual E3 Awards event honors those who are committed to positioning metro Atlanta as a place where the economy and environment connect for everyone. Award finalists and winners were honored at a Sept. 24 breakfast event at the Loews Hotel. “The E3 Awards are critical to our mission of improving and highlighting the quality of life in our region,” said Dave Williams, vice president of infrastructure and government affairs at the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “The innovative mindset of the companies and individuals honored today demonstrate their commitment toward creating a sustainable future for our region.” The event winners by category are: Liquid Assets – Companies or projects that make a difference for our sustainable water future.
- The WaterHub at Emory University in partnership with commercial contractor Reeves Young, won for their innovative, on-site water recycling system. It utilizes ecological engineering processes using minimal energy and chemicals to clean wastewater for use in Emory’s steam and chiller plants and other non-potable uses. It is the first system of its kind to be installed in the U.S. and will save 146 million gallons of water annually. Finalists included The Coca-Cola Company and Water Research Center – Georgia Power
- Ponce City Market, a mixed-use development located inside a revitalized and underutilized historic building, was developed by Jamestown with sustainability in mind. The restoration incorporated green building practices for all residential and commercial space in the live-work-play community. Located on the Atlanta BeltLine, Ponce City Market connects to its surrounding neighborhoods. Finalists included Avalon and EarthCraft.
- Pull-A-Part has 28 do-it-yourself auto parts superstores and provides high quality scrap metal, fluids and plastics for recycling in 13 states. Its unique reclamation process prevents water pollution from mercury switches, batteries and other pollutants. Finalists included Soneter and Urjanet.
- Rubicon Global, a leading provider of cloud-based waste and recycling solutions, works toward long-term sustainability goals by empowering independent haulers and recyclers to grow their businesses. Through its innovative platform, companies can reduce their operating expenses, divert waste from landfills, and track key metrics. Finalists included CHaRM – Live Thrive and Hannah Solar.
- PATH400 is an achievement in smart growth, proving walking and cycling alternatives for commuters, residents and visitors to the Peachtree corridor. The greenway’s first phase was completed in January 2015, and will eventually connect to the Atlanta BeltLine and trails in Sandy Springs and Fulton County, providing a key link in the regional trail network. Finalists included ORION – UPS and Cycle Atlanta – Georgia Tech.
- The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Program is designed to encourage local government to demonstrate leadership in environmental sustainability. Certified Green Communities voluntarily set an example and earn points by restoring the community’s natural resources. The program was the first regional “green” certification in the country and has certified 12 cities and six counties to date. Finalists included Grants to Green and Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF).
- Pete Marte, CEO of Hannah Solar, was recognized for his efforts in promoting clean energy adoption in Georgia. He serves as vice chair of the Georgia chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and has built consensus and support for solar within the state by working with many stakeholders including the Public Service Commission, local utilities and the state legislature. Finalists included Bill Strang, TOTO USA and Kim Cobb, Georgia Tech.
2014 E3 Awards
Seven companies were recognized as Atlanta’s most notable leaders in sustainability and clean technology by the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) as 2014 E3 Award winners. In partnership with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, MAC’s E3 Awards highlight the companies, organizations and individuals working to conserve metro Atlanta’s natural resources, develop clean technologies to enhance our economy and environment, support sustainable projects and initiatives, and collaborate on solutions through university connections, marketing and education. Award finalists and winners were honored at an April 4 breakfast at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead. The event winners by category are:
- Trident Award (Individual Achievement) – recognizing a member of the greater Atlanta community who has brought vision and leadership to sustainability efforts – Gary Coltek, Kennesaw State University
- New Venture– recognizing a startup, small business or new business venture that advances sustainability through business solutions – American Fueling Systems
- Liquid Assets (Water) – recognizing companies or projects that make a difference for our sustainable water future – Parkway Realty
- Built Environment – recognizing an achievement in efficient building design, smart growth or urban planning – Lifecycle Building Center
- Community Strong – recognizing a non-profit or university program that promotes collaboration and community involvement in making metro Atlanta more sustainable – Emory University
- Clean Tech Innovation – recognizing companies or projects that are creating sustainable solutions in any clean tech sector (renewable energy, recycling, materials, transportation, etc.) – Novelis
- Measuring Impact – recognizing a company or organization that has demonstrated measurable improvements or reported goals involved in making metro Atlanta more sustainable – Anheuser-Busch, Cartersville
2013 E3 Awards
The event winners by category:
- University Strong – honoring innovation through research and technologies with Georgia’s universities: Simple BoS Sunshot Project, a collaborative effort between Georgia Tech, Radiance Solar and Suniva;
- Built Environment – honoring excellence in energy and planning: Better Buildings Challenge, a public/private initiative with a goal of reducing energy and water consumption by at least 20 percent in participating buildings across Atlanta by 2020. Finalists included the EarthCraft Program by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and the Museum of Design Atlanta.
- Southern Capital – honoring local entrepreneurs, financial institutions or others who incubate start-up businesses or new ventures that advance sustainability: Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), housed at Georgia Tech, is the nation’s first university-based business incubator. Since 1986, it has turned out 112 science and technology companies, and companies associated with ATDC have raised more than $1 billion in venture capital since 1999. Finalists included GenAgain, the Global Soap Project, and Solar Design & Development.
- Power of Place – honoring initiatives by community organizations or business groups that develop stronger, sustainable communities: Midtown Alliance, for creating the first urban EcoDistrict in the southeast. Finalists included the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and Essential Housing, a local collaboration between EcoClassic Homes and the nonprofit Resources for Residents and Communities of Georgia.
- Liquid Assets – honoring sustainable water solutions: Google and the Douglasville – Douglas County Water & Sewer Authority, for their work in a joint public/private water reuse project designed to conserve water and help keep the Chattahoochee River clean. Finalists included Anheuser-Busch InBev and Toto USA.
- Making the Connections – honoring smart supply chain solutions: UPS, for its innovative supply chain solution model, creating efficient routing and network optimization and using an alternative fuel fleet to help deliver nearly 16 million packages each day to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Finalists included the Georgia Recycling Coalition and the Lifecycle Building Center.
- Emerging Leader – Michael Cheyne, director of asset management and sustainability at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, for his work and leadership in developing and implementing a sustainable management plan for Hartsfield-Jackson. Finalists included Anthony Coker, senior director of market and solutions development for Suniva; Nathaniel Smith, director of partnerships and research for equitable development at Emory University’s Center for Community Partnerships; and Rochelle Routman, director of sustainability for Mohawk Group.
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Jack Dozier, executive director, Georgia Association of Water Professionals, for his work in protecting Georgia's water resources and role in helping to develop state water policy.