It’s time again for the Toshiba Green Innovation Award, sponsored by Orange County Innovation and Irvine-based Toshiba America, to recognize the best eco-friendly product, process or service  by a local business.

Last year, WaterHealth International, a Lake Forest company that developed a tool to use ultraviolet light to disinfect contaminated water, won the award.

Runners up offered a renewable transportation fuel from feedstock, an environmentally sustainable LED lighting system for the film and TV industries, and a water valve that shuts off during a product malfunction.

This year, it’s anyone’s guess. The contest begins accepting submissions today.

Winner not only gets the award, but $5,000 and a Toshiba laptop. Second and third-place winners will receive $3,000 and $1,000 respectively, and a laptop.

Deadline is Sept. 15. Winners will be announced in Oct. 1 at the 2008 Innovation and Globalization in Green conference.