WMEAC honors three organizations with Triple Top Line awards for their sustainability efforts

Sharon Hanks

The West Michigan Environmental Action Council has honored three organizations with its second annual Triple Top Line award for their efforts that have or will soon contribute to the region's rich tapestry of sustainability practices.

The three were recognized for their demonstrated, significant and positive impact on West Michigan's triple top line -- environment, economy and social equity -- commonly known as the triple bottom line.

The awards, chosen through a public, on-line voting system, were first given out in celebration of WMEAC's 40th anniversary and are a fitting tribute to celebrate today's Earth Day observance.

This year's winners are:

Clothing Matters, 141 Diamond Ave. SE, a Grand Rapids retailer established in 1996 that supports practices that conserve natural resources, reduces pollution and promotes social justice through the sale of apparel made from organic cotton, silk, soy, tencel, wool, hemp, recycled fibers and bamboo for men and women.

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, an independent, citizen-led, non-profit enterprise founded in Grand Rapids last year to protect, enhance and expand area parks and public spaces.

Lower Grand Rapids Organization of Watersheds, a non-profit organization established last year by the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council to oversee restoration, protection and enhancement activities in the lower Grand River drainage basin spanning 3,000 square miles.

"I think the quality of entries were really impressive," says Rachael Hood, WMEAC executive director. "We're just incredibly thankful to have so many business and community leaders who understand their work and how to do it so it protects our environment, our economy and our quality of life. The achievements we're beginning to see through the application process are really enormous, systematic changes in the region."

Source: Rachael Hood, executive director, West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.