Four organizations in Fairfield County recently received GreenCircle awards for their efforts to protect the environment and its natural resources.
The 15th annual awards are held by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Bethel’s Harry Gibson was recognized for founding Friends and Neighbors of Putnam Memorial Park. The organization has helped coordinate thousands of volunteer hours to maintain the 152-acre  park. Additionally the group hosts Living History School Day and provides educational materials on the history of the park in relation to the American Revolution.
NRG Energy Inc., from South Norwalk, received an award for launching school programs to teach students how to locate sources of contamination and broken sewage pipes connecting to the Norwalk Harbor and Long Island Sound. The students’ work helps stop major sources of contamination and has set up protections for eggs of nesting turtles.
PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc., based in Shelton, was awarded for its energy conservation and reduction efforts by retrofitting and installing efficiency lighting and green chillers. It also created a plan that eliminated mercury from its products.
And finally, DEEP recognized Aptar of Stratford for reducing its energy consumption by using an energy efficient cycling generated dryer. The system saves 143 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
