The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will recognize six organizations for their innovative programs and commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility and economic viability at DEC’s upcoming 11^th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards ceremony.  The event will take place at the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s NanoFab South Rotunda and Auditorium in Albany at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10.

The event will also include an update on the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s role in building New York’s innovation-driven economy as a global leader in high-tech education, research and development.

The awards ceremony is open to the public, however space is limited and those interested in attending must pre-register at http://on.ny.gov/eearegistration.

Following the awards ceremony, there will be a tour of the Owens Corning facility located at 1277 Feura Bush Road in Feura Bush, NY, which is approximately 30 minutes southeast of SUNY.  Owens Corning, a 2012 Environmental Excellence Award winner, is implementing clean-tech solutions and innovative process changes as part of the production of insulation from natural minerals, recycled glass and an innovative starch-based binder instead of a formaldehyde-based binder.

DEC established the Environmental Excellence Award in 2004 to recognize and give visibility to selected businesses, schools, municipalities, governments and not-for-profit organizations achieving outstanding environmental sustainability, social responsibility and economic viability.  Since then, DEC has recognized 60 organizations.

For more information about the Awards Ceremony, contact DEC at awards@dec.ny.gov or (518) 402-9167.  To register for the event and the tour of Owens Corning, go to http://on.ny.gov/eearegistration.  Space is limited.