Applications will be accepted until February 10, 2012 at 5 p.m.

The BEST Awards recognize companies that exemplify ambitious and creative solutions for sustainability while promoting social, economic and environmental equity for thePortlandcommunity.

The BEST Awards accept applications in three separate categories:

1. Overall sustainability practices (broken down by very small, small, medium and large organizations)
2. Sustainable products or services
3. Sustainable food systems

Applicants respond to a series of questions using narrative and data to describe their achievements. A jury of regional experts will select up to ten businesses or organizations to be announced as BEST Award winners at the evening celebration, which will take place April 25 at the Nines in downtownPortland. Ticket sales and event details will be available in February.

Companies within the Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) are eligible to apply. The

PMSA includes these seven counties: Clackamas,Columbia,Multnomah,Washingtonand Yamhill counties inOregonand Clark and Skamania counties inWashington.

BEST Awards are presented by Sustainability at Work, a program of the City ofPortland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability in partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, Metro, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland Water Bureau and the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Please visit http://sustainabilityatworkpdx.com/recognition/best-awards/ to find out more and enter your business in this prestigious competition.