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Backyard Bounty is a small, woman-owned landscape design/build/maintain firm located in Middletown, Maryland. 

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 Environmental Achievements:​

• ​Installed more than 300 rain garde​​ns and other conservation landscapes in Maryland. These rainscapes are currently preventing more than 22 million gallons of stormwater from flowing into the Potomac River each year.

• Use at least 75% native plants in installations, no synthetic fertilizers, no pesticides, and soil-friendly shredded pine mulch.
  

• Repurposes hardscape construction debris into new construction projects through innovative practices such as gabion walls.

• One of the first landscaping companies to migrate all maintenance equipment from gas to battery powered and uses electric vehicles for staff travel as part of their goal of full decarbonization of their operations.​

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Blink Charging is an electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment manufacturer headquartered in Bowie, Maryland.

Environmental Achievements:

• Manufactures EV charging equipment and provides all-in-one services from equipment installation to host and driver support.  

• In 2023, its deployment of more than 89,000 charging stations helped reduce 5.8 million gallons of gasoline usage and the associated harmful air emissions produced by burning fossil fuels.

• Located its global headquarters in an energy efficient LEED Gold certified production facility in Bowie.

• Strives to conserve energy and materials while maintaining product quality within its production operations and in the design of new products.

• Recycles cables and metals and uses recyclable packaging materials that provide robust protection while also reducing environmental impact. 

• Established an Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) Committee to ensure the company continues to meet its sustainability goals and promote socially responsible practices within the company.

Orlo is a real estate investment and management company located in Laurel, Maryland.

Environmental Achievements:

• Conducting a major gas-to-electric HVAC system conversion at Hampshire Tower Apartments, a 216–unit high rise tower offering fully affordable housing in Takoma Park. The project includes new energy efficient heat pumps in each unit and the installation of a 159 kW solar PV system. These changes will mitigate a total of 138 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and reduce annual energy and maintenance expenses by $164,545. 

• Established the first privately-owned Resilience Hub in Montgomery County. The community space at Hampshire Towers is powered by solar power and energy storage which will keep the lights and HVAC running during power outages.

• Installed a 2.18 MW rooftop solar array at Seneca Village Apartments, the  largest solar project on a multi-family property in Montgomery County, mitigating 2,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and saving more $300,000 annually. Additional upgrades include EV charging infrastructure for residents.
  
  

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Pompeian is a food company founded in Baltimore in 1906 that offers a line of olive oils and vinegars.

Environmental Achievements:

• Reduced waste in bulk oil containers by 28%, eliminating 80 tons of plastic waste and 3.5 tons of scrap metal in the past year. Composted 111 tons of material and recycled 216 tons of olive oil as biofuel as part of a commitment to achieve Zero Waste Certification by 2025.

• Achieved carbon footprint certification by the Carbon Trust of its extra virgin olive oil and is continuing to make further reductions as part of the company’s goal to achieve Net Zero climate emissions by 2030.

• Named the first brand in North America to have a Sustainably Grown Certified olive farm and olive oil.
  

 

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Saft America, Inc. is a battery manufacturer located in Cockeysville, Maryland with a dedication to research and innovation. 

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Environmental Achievements:

• Reduced carbon emissions by 21% in 2023 through energy upgrades to heating, cooling, and lighting as part of its effort to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. 

• Requires its suppliers to have a climate commitment policy and assigns preferred status to those that assess their annual greenhouse gas emissions and set reduction targets for 2030. 

• Awarded Platinum Medal by EcoVadis, ranking them in the top 1% of all rated companies for its clear and effective environmental management system.

• Produces long-lasting, powerful, energy-efficient batteries for a variety of applications in challenging environments including space, defense such as the Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft F-35, Formula One cars, utilities, and aviation.
  
  

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