Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence program recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. Any business, industry, trade association, professional organization, academia, or local government of Ohio can be recognized for its commitment to environmental excellence. “The E3 program recognizes organizations that have embraced sustainable practices and help improve Ohio’s environment while building our economy,” Laurie A. Stevenson, Director, Ohio EPA.

Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. The E3 program now consists of three program elements designed to enhance opportunities for recognition. While the traditional E3 program continues to recognize any Ohio business, industry, trade association, professional organization, or not-for-profit (including Colleges and Universities) for exceptional environmental stewardship achievements, the new Encouraging Environmental Excellence in Education (E4) program specifically recognizes any Ohio K-12 public or private school for environmental education efforts and achievements, and the new Encouraging Environmental Excellence for Communities (E3C) program has been added to recognize local governments for environmental stewardship commitments and practices.

Each of the E3 award programs features a unique application and evaluation process and uses a multi-level approach to provide recognition to Ohio applicants completing environmentally beneficial activities. The goal of environmental stewardship is to reduce the impact of business or organizational activities on the environment beyond measures required by any permit or rule, producing a better environment, conserving natural resources, and resulting in long-term economic benefits. The application must be filled out online at https://ohioepa.custhelp.com/app/apply. For more guidance on how to start an application, please click here.