Congratulations to the 2025 Green Economy Award Winners!
On May 29, 2025, Green Economy Canada held our annual celebration event to recognize the collective achievements of our national network, and galvanize momentum towards a net-zero future.
We are extremely pleased to share the five outstanding members who have showcased a deep commitment to their sustainability journeys this year.
The Waste Reduction Award
This award recognizes a member that has made a strong commitment to waste management and implemented practices to reduce the impact their waste has on their environment. This organization is passionate about reducing waste in their processes, and encourages awareness of the benefits of waste reduction to their peers, as well as within our network.
And the Award goes to…
Luxfer Canada Limited, pioneers in the engineering and manufacturing of gas storage solutions, for their holistic focus on waste reduction and overall waste reduction strategy.
Luxfer Group had set a 20% reduction in absolute waste to landfill by 2025 – they reached this goal two years early, achieving a 34% reduction by 2023 with the Luxfer Canada facility playing a big role by decreasing its facility’s waste to landfill by 89%. They employed a number of strategies to embed their targets and reach their goal, and are now working on setting a zero waste to landfill target.
Congratulations, Luxfer!
The Community Impact Award
This award recognizes an organization that has enriched the communities in which they operate. They engage their employees and external stakeholders to improve social, economic or environmental outcomes within their communities, and/or have taken meaningful steps to advance reconciliation.
And the Award goes to…
Polaris Transportation Group in Mississauga, Ontario, for their holistic approach to community care and action, mobilizing employees, customers, suppliers and partners to take climate action and otherwise support the communities where they live and work.
In September 2023, Polaris launched its Community Care Unit. The CCU has driven wider community interest and action on sustainability by engaging Polaris’ network of customers, suppliers, and nonprofit partners—many of whom donate goods, volunteer time, or help raise awareness. With Trucks for Change, they delivered food to organizations and schools, using the CCU van to access locations without docks. With Fred Victor, they supported a festive dinner for 1,300 individuals experiencing homelessness and delivered laundry hampers to those moving into housing. Through Daily Bread, they collect and deliver donations from schools and stores, especially during holidays. With Food4Kids, they assist with weekend food packs and help with fundraising deliveries. These partnerships amplify impact and inspire others within the broader community.
Congratulations, Polaris!
The Innovation Award
This award recognizes an organization that has employed novel or creative strategies to rethink how they operate to become more sustainable.
And the Award goes to…
Woodleigh Farms, a sixth-generation farm in Cavan, Ontario, who have been experimenting with innovative soil amendments that are better for crops, consumers and the planet.
Through grants from several organizations, including Green Economy Canada, Woodleigh Farms have built a biochar pilot plant that turns unmarketable waste wood (from plantation thinning, storm clean-up and trail and lot thinning) into a nutritious, carbon-sequestering soil amendment for use on its own farm and to sell to other farmers. Woodleigh partners with agricultural researchers from the University of Guelph and Trent University on numerous soil health and sustainable agriculture projects. While individuals have built these types of plants for personal use, this is the first commercial prototype in Canada. Biochar can be used to improve soil quality and reduce the need for fertilizer, a large source of emissions for farms.
Congratulations, Woodleigh Farms!
The Rookie of the Year Award
This award recognizes an organization that has only recently become a member, and who is up-and-coming on their sustainability journey. Despite their newness to the network, they engage the network in a positive and enthusiastic manner. They are go-getters and seek to implement solutions to green their business, set impactful goals and make action towards them.
And the Award goes to…
Morton Medical Centre in Lakefield, Ontario, for reducing emissions by taking a targeted approach to energy and emissions reduction through employee and tenant engagement, operational changes and leading the way on community learning.
Morton Medical Centre is a rural community health centre committed to reducing their impact on the climate. With numerous building and energy experts on their board, MMC quickly and knowledgeably recognized the importance of reducing energy at the Centre and the need to engage physician tenants in reductions. Since joining less than a year ago, MMC has been enthusiastically engaged in Green Economy Peterborough, collecting their data to develop their initial GHG inventory very quickly and moving to research stand-alone solar panels and other opportunities for their large property.
Beyond that, they have been working with Green Economy Peterborough to address a gap in the availability of affordable commercial energy assessments for local small businesses.
Congratulations, Morton Medical Centre!
The Climate Leadership Award
This prestigious award recognizes an organization that has set high goals for reducing emissions or greening their organization, and has shown great leadership in their engagement, commitment and follow-through. They also continue to motivate and encourage their peers around sustainability, be it in our network or their broader work.
And the Award goes to…
Quantum Lifecycle Partners for establishing a highly engaged employee Green Team that works on rolling initiatives with a focus on sustainability and sustainability education.
The Green Team meets monthly to work on employee initiatives such as the 10 Day Circular Challenge in celebration of Circular Economy Month and the Seed the Spring initiative where interested staff receive free seed starter kits. They also invest in employee education, a sustainability website for employees and a green newsletter. Quantum is currently piloting a carpool initiative that has increased carpooling among employees by 43% and the company rewards staff for green commuting. They also hold an annual Earth Week Challenge. This year, over 300 staff members – almost half of their total staff – supported 17 non-profit organizations across Canada. Activities included waste pickups, clothing donations, upcycling trophies, tree planting, financial donations and more.
Congratulations, Quantum!
And congratulations to all of our Green Economy Award winners this year. We were honoured to help you on your sustainability journeys this past year and look forward to all we will accomplish in the future.
Don’t delay, start your sustainability journey today!
Wondering how your organization can become more sustainable? Contact us today and let’s explore the possibilities.