Sustainable Buzz/Business Award Winners

The Sustainable Business Awards recognizes businesses and organizations that embrace the triple bottom line and demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Since 2008, 100’s of local businesses have been honored, impacting tens of thousands of stakeholders in the Tampa Bay area. 

Presenting Sponsor

Tree Patrons

Good Earth Partners

Seedling Friends

Now in its 14th year, this annual event recognizes businesses and organizations in the Tampa Bay area that are committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Since 2008, more than 120 businesses have received the award. From small local farms to large corporations, we honor their commitments to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. See all past award winners here.  Nominations are accepted each year through an open call process. To be eligible, the nominated entity must have a location in the Tampa Bay area. Completed applications are ranked in the three pillars of sustainability against peers in size and industry.  Finalists and winners are selected by a third-party review and panel process.

Jan Roberts Sustainable Business Leadership Award

Jan Roberts, founder of Earth Charter US

Jan Roberts has been a changemaker for economic, social, and environmental justice for over 45 years. Since 2013, she has been an independent filmmaker focused on documenting systemic solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet. Her documentary, UNDAUNTED, is in production and features Native and Black Changemakers and their allies putting traditional values for “all life is connected” and “wealth is more than money” into wealth building initiatives on reservations and in cities.  UNDAUNTED has been recognized as a “Hot Film in the Making” by From the Heart Productions in California.

Previously, Jan served as an NGO Delegate to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and founded Earth Charter U.S. to support community organizers in their local sustainability efforts. She was invited by Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, to the global launch of the Earth Charter where she was recognized as the leader of the grassroots movement in the U.S. As an adjunct professor in the College of Business at UT, she launched the “Sustainable Business Awards” in 2007, which is the precursor for this event today.

What's this Zero Waste Buzz all about?

We’ve put together what can only be described as a zero-waste dream team! We found a local supplier of plant-based compostable wares, such as plates, utensils and cups, and agreed to provide these to our vendors. We also  consulted with the event staff and vendors in advance to guide them on how to reduce waste.

During the event, all waste, including liquids, will be collected and sorted into recyclables, compost or trash at staffed collection points. At the end of the evening, everything will be measured, weighed, analyzed and processed accordingly.