NHDES-nominated NH small business, professional win awards

Pictured above, from left to right: Andrea O’Brien and Sara Johnson; and Collin Marchant of Nefab and Renee Lesjak Bashel, Wisconsin Small Business Environmental Assistance Program.

In celebration of Small Business Week April 30 – May 6, the National Steering Committee of Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs and Small Business Ombudsmen recently recognized Nefab Packaging Northeast of Dover with the 2023 Small Business Environmental Stewardship Award and Andrea O’Brien for Business Assistance Provider Leadership Award. Both award winners were nominated by Sara Johnson, manager of the NHDES Small Business Technical Assistance Program (SBTAP).

Nefab

Nefab was recognized for its accomplishments in the areas of improving environmental performance, pollution prevention and sustainability. Johnson noted “After receiving assistance from NHDES SBTAP, Nefab Packaging implemented workflow processes to identify and reduce environmental impacts as a continuous improvement activity.”  As an example, Nefab measured a reduction of 133 tons of CO2 through supply chain waste reduction projects. 

Collin Marchant, quality manager of Nefab Packaging Northeast, stated, “Nefab saves environmental and financial resources by optimizing supply chains. We do this by innovating together with our customers to create smarter packaging and logistics solutions while always respecting people and high ethical standards. This contributes to a better tomorrow for us, for our customers, for society and for the environment. Nefab Packaging Northeast accepts this recognition as a commitment to continually improve our environmentally sustainability and share our experience with our affiliates.”

Andrea O’Brien

Andrea O’Brien, director, Business Sustainability Program and Business Advisor, of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), was recognized for leadership in the areas of improving environmental performance, pollution prevention and sustainability.

Johnson nominated O’Brien for her collaboration on industry-specific initiatives, creating compliance assistance, workshops, webinars, guidance documents and site visits to improve compliance and energy efficiency, and guiding businesses to create a sustainable business model. Johnson stated, “Andrea has focused her business advising on sustainability and more specifically on risk reduction with respect to environmental footprints and employee safety.” Together, they implemented industry initiatives to assist junk yards, marinas, printers, grocers and coaters. In addition, Johnson said that Andrea “engages small businesses with utility companies, grant programs, and energy tech providers to ensure small business can understand and implement energy improvements, saving them money while caring for the environment.”   

O’Brien said, “For over 25 years the NH SBDC, along with our partner, SBTAP Sara Johnson, has provided many invaluable resources to New Hampshire’s business community. The marketplace challenges businesses to enhance sustainability and minimize environmental impact. Programs like NH SBDC and SBTAP have helped businesses work toward these goals.”

The Small Business Environmental Assistance Programs and Small Business Ombudsmen National Steering Committee (SBEAP/SBO NSC) Awards are the states’ premier awards program for recognizing outstanding environmental leadership among small businesses and small business assistance providers. These awards recognize small businesses, SBEAP/SBO programs and individuals, trade associations and other business assistance providers who have made significant contributions to protecting the environment.  The awards program is sponsored by the SBEAP/SBO NSC in partnership with U.S. EPA Asbestos and Small Business Office.

More information about the state SBEAP/SBO is available at https://nationalsbeap.org/