Trumbull Resident Wins Award for Commitment to Environment

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection presented 15 Connecticut businesses and individuals with GreenCircle awards for efforts to protect the environment and natural resources.

Anuj Sisodiya launched “Light It but Time It,” a program to help save energy during the holiday season by providing 250 electric timers and approaching 500 households during this time. Homeowners who left their holiday lights on throughout the day were consuming excess electricity that resulted in increased electricity bills.

Anuj believed that the campaign has the potential to save about 1 million-kilowatt hours of power in Trumbull. This translates to 1.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide not being released into the environment. Anuj’s efforts to implement the campaign and help save energy were recognized by the Town of Trumbull’s First Selectman and other local organizations.

This campaign enhanced his self-confidence, project management, leadership and marketing skills, improved his communication and showed him the power of volunteerism and the change it can bring to a community.

Award winners have had a positive impact by reducing energy and water consumption, increasing recycling at their businesses and promoting conservation efforts.

Some efforts taken by companies and individuals include:

• Business compliance with ISO 1400l Certification requirements;
• Installation of “closed loop systems” to avoid the discharge of contaminants and hazardous materials into rivers and streams;
• Increased recycling of solvents, hazardous waste, solid waste and electronic equipment;
• Major reductions in electricity consumption;
• Purchasing of “Green-E” energy; and
• Construction of more environmentally friendly buildings such as LEED certified buildings.

“Since the Agency launched the GreenCircle Award Program 17 years ago, approximately 1100 individuals, businesses, schools and organizations have been recognized for making a real difference in preserving natural resources and protecting the quality of the state’s air, water and lands,” said Robert Klee, commissioner of DEEP.

The Hartford Business Journal will support the GreenCircle Sustainability Awards program by promoting nominations, featuring winners in their two publications – the Hartford Business Journal and the Green Guide – and also hosting all winners at an award ceremony. The first sustainability awards will be presented this spring.