An audience of over 400 attended the Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island, which took place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Heritage Club at the world renowned Bethpage Golf Course.
The event honored visionary leaders, advocates, and trailblazers who are actively shaping a more sustainable future on Long Island, New York.
Grand Council of Emeralds President Martin Bellew, Commissioner of the Town of Islip Department of Environmental Control, and Islip Resource Recovery Agency since 2018, was honored with the prestigious Municipal Leader for the Environment award.
Martin Bellew, retired in 2005 as the Chief of the Department of Sanitation, City of New York and Director of Waste Disposal. As a 911 first responder, Bellew coordinated and managed the transportation and disposal of all materials from the World Trade Center cleanup to the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, New York.
Bellew is best-known to readers of the Irish Echo as President of the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies.
