Sustainable Sun Prairie

Climate Champion Awards (2021-2024)

The City of Sun Prairie has achieved Dane County's Climate Champion status in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. 

2024 - Sun Prairie earned three Climate Champion awards: two in the Other category and one in Building Design. In the Other category, the Sun Prairie Wastewater Treatment Plant was recognized for the 403 kW-DC solar PV array that went online in May of 2024. This is the largest solar array deployed to date in the city. Sun Prairie and Green Box were recognized for their partnership which diverts paper towel waste from the landfill in municipal buildings, providing a carbon source for composting. Finally, the Sun Prairie Public Library earned 3 stars in the Building Design category for their all-electric facility which will feature battery storage, geothermal heat pumps, and solar. The facility will also be a LEED certified building.

2023 - Sun Prairie earned an award in the Other category for its impressive materials management. By doubling recycling pick-up days, the city added approximately 1.2 million pounds of recycling annually and significantly reduced yard waste hauling.

2022 - Sun Prairie continued its winning streak by achieving Climate Champion status in the Employee Commuting category with a level 2 distinction for its implementation of policies like telecommuting, carpool facilitation, and emergency rides. These initiatives successfully encouraged 45% of employees to avoid driving alone to work.

2021 - Sun Prairie earned an award in the Other category with a Level 2 distinction due to its significant investments and commitment to climate action. Sun Prairie has established a Sustainability Committee, created a new staff position solely focused on advancing sustainability efforts, and invested in public engagement around sustainability issues.

Our organization is highly motivated to further its sustainability goals by continuously investing in resources that ensure these efforts are successful. We applied for this award as another step in demonstrating our commitment to this important work, and we're excited to pursue future opportunities by completing projects that optimize resource use (energy, water, materials, time), provide efficient systems (energy, transportation, food, waste recovery), and empower our residents and businesses to collectively maximize positive impact. Our mission is to promote and enable our community to embrace a culture that is inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Interested in becoming a Dane County Climate Champion? Individuals,  governments, schools, businesses, and nonprofits can all apply for this recognition. Learn more here.