Montana State announces 2025 EcoStar Pollution Prevention award winners

BOZEMAN - Five businesses received EcoStar awards from the Montana Pollution Prevention Program at Montana State University for their commitment to environmental progress in their communities.

Announced ahead of National Pollution Prevention Week - which starts on Monday, Sept. 15 - the awards recognize Montana businesses taking tangible steps to reduce waste, harmful emissions, and energy and water use. The EcoStar Pollution Prevention Award program is in its 24th year and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"Each EcoStar business demonstrates that pollution prevention isn't a regulatory burden - it's a strategic advantage," said Jenny Grossenbacher, director of the Montana Pollution Prevention Program. "As these five businesses lead by example, they ignite a ripple effect across Montana's business community by inspiring others to act, accelerating innovation and showing that environmental leadership and economic success go hand in hand."

Representing 13 Montana communities, the EcoStar awardees are:

• Cool Earth Creamery - Missoula. Nominated for implementing low-impact dairy practices and climate-friendly food production.
• Mackenzie River Pizza Co. - Big Fork, Billings, Bozeman, Belgrade, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Polson and Whitefish. Nominated for its sustainable operations and reduction of single-use waste.
• Superior Meats - Superior. Nominated for implementing energy-efficient equipment and waste reduction protocols, demonstrating how food processors can minimize their footprint while maximizing productivity.
• The Garden Barn - Bozeman. Nominated for reducing packaging and conserving water, becoming a model of resource stewardship in horticulture.
• Xanterra Parks and Resorts - Gardiner. Nominated for applying energy-saving improvements to guest services and operations.

This year's recipients have collectively saved approximately 7 million gallons of water, reduced 18,090 pounds of hazardous waste, avoided using 9,700 metric tons of the equivalent of carbon dioxide and saved 627,816 kilowatt-hours of energy. Repeat EcoStar Award winner Mackenzie River Pizza Co., for example, participates in Helena's pilot composting program and has reduced plastic use across all its locations. In total, the awardees have saved $335,517 through pollution prevention efforts.

Through the awards program, each business will receive a $500 grant to apply toward pollution prevention, as well as assistance from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center to identify areas of improvement. Awards are given annually, with applications due Aug. 15. For additional information or to apply or nominate a business, visit montana.edu/pollution-prevention/.

"When businesses act to prevent pollution by reducing energy and water use, cutting waste or lowering greenhouse gas emissions, they also protect their profits, enhance their brand and lead communities toward sustainability," Grossenbacher said.