On Feb. 15, ecomaine, a Portland-based leader in recycling and sustainable waste management, announced the winners of the 2023 Eco-Excellence Awards with winners from across the state of Maine. Included in the category of Education/Schools the Gorham School District was recognized for leadership in keeping recoverable materials out of landfills by recycling and composting, and notably, diverting leftover food to the Gorham Food Pantry and food drives

Caleb Hemphill, Chair of ecomaine’s Outreach & Recycling Committee said, “Every year, it is inspiring to see the leadership and dedication of these Mainers committed to making Maine a more sustainable place to live, work, and play. ecomaine is proud to recognize these outstanding efforts.”

In all there were five individual awards, three business, one non-profit organization and three education leaders. A complete list of winners includes:

• Gorham School District (Education/Schools) – for leadership in keeping recoverable materials out of landfills by recycling and composting, and notably, diverting leftover food to the Gorham Food Pantry and food drives.
• Heather Keegan, Readfield (Education/Schools) – for her work with school leadership, town staff, ecomaine, and her students to establish a recycling program that can be replicated throughout the district.
• Spruce Mountain HS Envirothon Team, Livermore Falls (Education/Schools) – for their exemplary research and presentations on sustainable waste management, resulting in winning the Maine Envirothon and placing 20th in the world at the International Envirothon.
• Intercultural Community Center, Westbrook (Non-Profit) – for its commitment to waste diversion through recycling and composting programs, reduction of single-use materials, and increasing public awareness of sustainability.
• Grady’s Motel, Bridgton (Business) – for their efforts to become a zero emissions motel and dedication to waste diversion.
• MaineHealth Sustainability Committee, Portland (Business) – for incorporation of environmental and sustainability strategies in energy, waste, water, food, and transportation into its strategic plan.
• Tanbark, Portland (Business) – for blazing a trail in non-plastic packaging with molded fiber that is lightweight and has potential for disrupting plastic use through innovation of a legacy Maine industry – paper.
• Kathleen Athearn, Westbrook (Individual) – for her work cleaning up litter and promoting proper waste management on social media.
• Rebecca Brown, Portland (Individual) – for her efforts to divert waste from the trash at Maine Medical Center and recycle and reuse it.
• David Ertz, Yarmouth (Individual) – for his work on sustainability as part of the Town of Yarmouth’s Committee for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability.
• Dr. Noah Perlut, Scarborough (Individual) – for his commitment to conservation of land and resources on a number of boards and commissions in Scarborough.
• Jeff Tarling, Portland (Individual) – for his efforts, over his career as the City of Portland’s Arborist, to promote sustainability and encourage it with area students.

“We are very excited to have the Eco-Excellence Awards ceremony in person again after missing a few years,” said Matt Grondin, ecomaine’s Director of Communications & Public Affairs. “The energy and inspiration is tangible, and helps to fulfill our mission of increasing public awareness about this important work.”