The Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's Greenest Office competition, like sustainability itself, is changing.

Previously limited to physical buildings and spaces, 2011's Greenest Office & Sustainability Awards has been expanded to recognize more of the companies, entities and individuals making the most positive impact on both the environment and bottom lines.

2011 winners will be based just as much on policy, behavior and innovation as energy efficiency and conservation. This contest will be more about people and policies than windows and walls.

Methodology

Entrants from Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, Madison and Washington counties will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges who don't just own "green" credentials, but deal in sustainability as part of their everyday jobs.

Categories

There will be winners in five categories:

• Greenest Office: Any company embracing sustainability not just through energy efficiency and conservation practices, but by product and/or services innovation and employee behavior.
• Best Collaboration: Any entities partnering to reduce their impact on the planet while simultaneously boosting profits and/or cutting costs and providing consumers a better product and/or service.
• Vendor Award: A vendor with a physical presence in Northwest Arkansas that uses energy efficiency, conservation practices, innovation or employee behavior - or any combination thereof - to give consumers a better product while also boosting profits and/or cutting costs.
• Sustainability Champion: An individual who is making our corner of the world a better place to live through efforts to make us a more eco-friendly society.
• Best Initiative: Any volunteer program - within a company, nonprofit group or social group - that promotes sustainable practices.

Winning entries will be featured in the Oct. 17 Sustainable Practices issue of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

Deadline for nominations is Sept. 22.