"These individuals, organizations and businesses deserve our thanks for their extraordinary contributions in protecting the environment," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA’s New England Office. "They have shown us that anyone can make a big difference, whether at work, at home, or in their neighborhood."

The winners from Maine were among 34 from across New England. Awards were given in the categories of individual; business (including professional organizations); local, state or federal government; and environmental, community, academia or nonprofit organization, as well as lifetime achievement awards for individuals.

Interface Fabrics Group, Guilford, Maine and East Douglas, Mass.
The Interface Fabrics Group, formerly known as Guilford of Maine, has a deep company-wide commitment to improve the environment for future generations, while achieving and maintaining profitability. The company was among the first to commit to a formal ISO-certified Environmental Management System, certifying its main facility in 1998.

Environmental accomplishments include reducing solid waste sent to incineration at its Guilford facility by 86 percent, increasing ‘green power’ electricity from renewable sources to over 58 percent at all facilities combined, and committing to eliminating all ozone-depleting substances from company premises. The company has developed and successfully introduced many environmentally friendly products, including a fiber from 100 percent recycled soda bottles, a bio-based compostable product made from corn, and environmentally safe dyes. Interface Fabrics is also reaching beyond its own operations by using environmental performance as a criterion to evaluate suppliers and by developing the Maine Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.