Every year, ecomaine recognizes the people, businesses, schools, and communities across Maine doing the quiet, consistent work of building a more sustainable state. The eco-Excellence Awards in 2026 spanned six categories: Individual, Business, Non-Profit/School, Multi-Family Housing Leader, Student Leader, and Municipality, with each winner being chosen from a competitive pool of nominees that reflects just how widely that work is happening.
The awards exist to shine a light on what often goes unnoticed. A librarian who turned her building into a repair and reuse hub. Fifth graders who audited their school’s plastic waste and took it to the school board. A housing authority running rooftop solar on affordable housing while keeping residents in the loop every step of the way. The eco-Excellence Awards are a reminder that sustainability in Maine isn’t one big movement. It’s hundreds of small ones, and they all count.
This year’s pool was the strongest yet, with over 30 nominations received across all the categories. The winners represent communities of every size, from small towns to cities, from a single classroom to an entire housing portfolio. What they share isn’t a budget or a blueprint. It’s a commitment to doing things better, and the follow-through to prove it.
Thank You to Everyone Who Nominated a Local Sustainability Hero This Year!
Nominations for the 2026 eco-Excellence Awards are now closed, and we are so grateful to everyone who took part. Whether you nominated an inspiring individual, a forward-thinking business, a dedicated community group, or a mission-driven non-profit, your recognition means the world to the sustainability champions working hard in our communities every day.
Every nomination is a reminder of just how much passion and care exists right here in Maine for protecting our environment and building a better future for all of us.
We can’t wait to celebrate this year’s honorees. Winners will be announced later this spring, so stay tuned!
Awards Criteria
To be eligible, nominees must be located in or serve one of ecomaine’s member communities.
Eligible nominees may include:
- Individuals
- Businesses
- Non-Profits, Community Groups, or Schools
- Multi-Family Housing Leaders
For the 2026 award cycle, the selection committee will consider:
- Relevance to Sustainable Waste Management
- Preference is given to nominations that are focused on recycling, composting, waste reduction, and other sustainable waste practices.
- Projects that integrate these practices into daily life, business operations, or community programs are highly encouraged.
- Effectiveness
- The nominee’s actions or programs produce measurable or clearly observable positive environmental outcomes.
- Examples could include: waste reduction, increased recycling or composting rates, energy savings, or demonstrable improvements to local communities.
- Increasing Awareness
- The nominee actively educates, engages, or inspires others in the community about sustainable practices.
- This could involve outreach campaigns, workshops, volunteer programs, or innovative communications that motivate behavioral change.
- Ease of Replication
- The nominee’s approach can be adopted or adapted by other individuals, organizations, or communities.
- Efforts that are scalable, cost-effective, or creatively designed to be shared.
