The Belelvue-based Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties has been named a winner in the Seattle Business magazine’s 2012 Green Washington Awards. The award put the organization in the top 50 outstanding organizations in Washington state.

Winners were selected from a large pool of nominations by a panel of judges from prominent organizations in the region, including the Washington Environmental Council, Climate Solutions, the Bainbridge Graduate Institute and the Washington Clean Technology Alliance.

The Master Builders Association won first place nonprofit as a company in the building/construction category. It was honored for the work of its Built Green program, which has certified more than 20,000 living units since being founded in 2000. Built Green’s existing certified projects have reduced residential energy. On an annual basis, the program saves an estimated 10.3 million gallons of indoor-use water, reduces stormwater runoff by 30 percent, diverts more than 2,200 tons of construction waste from landfills to recycling, and reduces energy use by 15 percent or 5.3 million kilowatt hours.

“We are extremely grateful for this recognition of our members’ dedication to environmentally sustainable building practices, which we have been able to elevate through our collaboration with community partners on efforts like the zHome project and the Mercer Slough Pond Lily Wet Lab,” said association Executive Officer Sam Anderson. “These projects reflect our overall commitment to Built Green and our desire to promote responsible environmental practices and quality construction.”

For the past several years, Built Green has been involved in the creation of the zHome project, the first zero-energy multifamily community in the country. The project was spearheaded by the city of Issaquah in partnership with King County, Puget Sound Energy, Port Blakely Communities, and the Washington State Energy Office. It was developed and built by Howland HomesIchio USA.

Another achievement for the Built Green program is the Mercer Slough Pond Lily Wet Lab, which the Master Builders Association built and donated to the city of Bellevue to be used as a classroom at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue. Pond Lily achieved a 5-Star Built Green certification by incorporating many environmentally-friendly features, such as a green roof, a super-insulated envelope and a high-efficiency radiant heating system.

The project was done in partnership with the city of Bellevue and the Pacific Science Center whose goal is to provide a wide variety of programming for adults and students from schools throughout the region.

Also among the winners recognized by Seattle Business magazine were Master Builder member companies Green Canopy Homes and Canyon Creek Cabinet Company.