Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Winners Honored at Triple Bottom Line Bash

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum recognized the sustainability accomplishments of nine leading Michigan businesses and institutions at its 12th Annual Triple Bottom Line Bash last week at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. The signature event of the state’s sustainability community, this year’s Bash hosted more than 350 professionals, supporters and their families to recognize 25 companies nominated in nine categories.  

Winners in the competitive categories included

• Meijer (Large Company)
• Revolin Sports (Small Business)
• Michigan Dining (Campus)
• Green Living Science (Community Organization)
• Supermercado Mexico (Food Systems)
• Edison Community Partners (Services & Consulting). 

Previously announced award winners included Recycler of the Year Unlimited Recycling, Inc., Public Sector award winner City of Ann Arbor, and Manufacturer of the Year Vantage Plastics.  

This was the first year for the Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards program, which had previously been organized as a regional event focused on western Michigan. Award winners and finalists were nominated by Forum members and selected by a committee of their peers. The three non-competitive awards were selected during the first round of review, and the six competitive categories were voted on by the selection committee in October. 

Over the next few weeks, the Forum will be featuring its award winners on its website and in social media.  Please check back here often. 

The Triple Bottom Line Bash began in 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.  The organization rebranded as the statewide Michigan Sustainable Business Forum at the event in 2024 when it launched its 30th anniversary campaign, which included events across the state and the launch of several new programs.

The event also featured the recognition of three Michigan Sustainable Business Hall of Fame inductees: Sarah Archer, President & CEO of Iris Waste Diversion Specialists Inc., Allmon Forrester, Director of Facilities, Planning, and Sustainability at John Ball Zoo, and Vickie Lewis, President and CEO of VMX International, LLC in Detroit.  

The Michigan Sustainable Business Hall of Fame celebrates professionals that have made significant and lasting contributions to sustainable business and sustainability in Michigan over the course of their career.  A lifetime achievement award, it recognizes impacts to local communities and industries, as well as internal company accomplishments that deserve wider recognition.

Also recognized at the event were three CR Evenson Foundation Fellows: Anna Crooks, Owner of Earthly Refillery, Arborist David Fraker, and Sergio Cira Reyes, Climate Justice Catalyst for the Urban Core Collective.  Since its founding in 1970, the Charles R. Evenson Foundation has been dedicated to advancing sustainability, equity, and collaboration. Inspired by the legacy of Charles R. Evenson, a Grand Rapids-based pioneer whose mission was founded in improving quality of life through collective action, the foundation created the Evenson Award to honor individuals who lead transformative change through science-based solutions.