Minnesota Chamber Environmental Sustainability Foundation
The Environmental Sustainability Foundation helps business become more efficient, less wasteful and more competitive. All at no cost to you.
Reduce energy usage
Prevent waste
Increase savings
Whether you run a restaurant, office, or factory we make sustainability doable and affordable.
What does the Sustainability Foundation do?
Energy Smart
Free energy assessments and rebate support
to help businesses save energy and money.
• Free onsite consultations
• Help identifying energy-saving projects
• Assistance accessing utility rebates and funding.
Waste Wise
Improve recycling, reduce waste and access
grants for sustainability upgrades.
• Free waste and recycling assessments
• Help setting up organics collection
• Access to grant funding.
Case studies
FAQ
Is this really free?
Yes! Energy Smart and Waste Wise services are completely free for eligible businesses. Our team can also help you apply for rebates and grants to make your sustainability projects even more affordable.
How is it funded?
Energy Smart and Waste Wise are funded through contracts with utilities and local governments. This funding allows us to provide services at no cost to the business community.
Who is eligible?
• Energy Smart: Available to any size businesses that use CenterPoint Energy or Xcel Energy.
• Waste Wise: Available to businesses and non-profits located in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington Counties.
• Chamber members: If your business is a Minnesota Chamber member, you’re eligible anywhere in Minnesota.
• Home-based businesses are not eligible.
Do I need to be a Chamber member to participate?
No. Energy Smart and Waste Wise are open to all eligible businesses:
• Energy Smart: Available to businesses that use CenterPoint Energy or Xcel Energy.
• Waste Wise: Available to businesses located in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington Counties.
• Chamber members: If your business is a Minnesota Chamber member, you’re eligible anywhere in Minnesota.
What kinds of businesses benefit most?
Any business can benefit from assessing efficiency and waste reduction opportunities. Our experts often uncover savings you might not expect. Generally, the more activity and equipment a business has, the greater the potential for savings. For example, restaurants manage cooking equipment, refrigeration, HVAC, dishwashing, lighting, to-go packaging, food waste, and single-use items—creating many opportunities for both energy efficiency and waste reduction.
What happens after I reach out?
When you contact Energy Smart or Waste Wise, a specialist will connect with you to schedule a 30–60 minute site visit. Seeing your operations firsthand helps us identify the best opportunities for savings. After the visit, your specialist will provide tailored project recommendations. If you choose to move forward, we’ll support you every step of the way, including handling rebate and grant paperwork to make your project more affordable. We are vendor neutral and no obligation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Foundation is proud to support students interested in a career in sustainability.
Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation Board of Directors
Julie Ketchum – Chair
Public Affairs
Waste Management
Board member since 2019
Bill Keegan – Past Chair
President
Dem-Con Companies
Board member since 2017
Suzanne Savanick Hansen, Ph.D.
Environmental Sustainability Manger
Allina Health
Board member since 2022
Mark Isaacson
Vice President, Development
Blue Horizon Energy LLC
Board member since 2024
Matt Strebe
President
SES Controls, Inc
Board member since 2022
Doug Loon - Treasurer
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Ex-officio member
Jarret Vincent
Senior Vice President - Environmental, Health & Safety
Gopher Resource
Board member since 2025
Bret Weiss
President/CEO
WSB
Board member since 2022
Any and all proceeds directed by Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation are restricted to the sole and intended purpose of managing and implementing Waste Wise and Energy Smart, two programs of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.