Just in time for Northwestern’s annual Green Cup competition, the state honored both Evanston and the University on Tuesday for their eco-friendly efforts. 

The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center gave the Governor’s Sustainability Awards to 27 organizations for their green pursuits. Evanston earned an honorable mention at the ceremony, held in Peoria, Ill. The city won the award in 2011.

“In working for a greener tomorrow, these businesses and organizations not only preserve our resources, protect our environment, reduce their costs and increase their competitiveness, they also help develop more sustainable technology and become our greatest allies in the diffusion of new ideas and new attitudes about how business is done in Illinois,” David Thomas, the center’s interim director, said in a news release.

Evanston’s most recent environmentally-conscious projects include installing solar-powered parking meters, hosting the seventh annual Green Living Festival and competing in the Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities program.

Meanwhile, NU was recognized for its participation in the center’s Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact, winning the highest rating of gold. The program encourages colleges to conserve water, construct green buildings and purchase renewable energy.

Gold-level universities “are integrating sustainability throughout their campus and working toward measured improvement,” according to the center.

NU has been a longtime proponent of sustainable living. Green Cup, hosted each year by Students for Ecological and Environmental Development, kicked off Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 17. The contest pits residence halls and Greek houses against one another to see which one can conserve the most energy and water. Last week, multiple NU groups came together for the third annual Food Day, which promoted healthy, locally grown food.

— Michele Corriston