MILFORD, Conn. -- Despite a down economy, a new study has shown that Connecticut businesses are investing in green technologies.

At a gathering in Hartford on Tuesday, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association released its third annual sustainability survey. And for the third year in a row, the survey shows, more Connecticut businesses are going green.

"Connecticut businesses are doing more and more sustainable practices, even in this tough time," said CBIA Vice President and economist Peter Gioia.

In many categories, he said, use of earth-friendly technology is up 20 percent or more.

For some businesses in the state, green technology isn't new. Alinabal in Milford has been green for about a decade.

"In order to be competitive in Connecticut as a manufacturer, you need every advantage possible, and one way to do that is to be green -- as green as possible -- to save money," Alinabal President and CEO Samuel Bergami Jr. said.

He said the company, which manufactures everything from John Deere tractor parts to complex alternators for high-tech mortar shells, installed energy efficient lighting and saved $50,000 a year. He said the company's machinery uses incredible amounts of compressed air, so it installed a high-efficiency compressor and saved another $20,000 a year.

And, Bergami said, in a facility that’s the size of Alinibal's, even something like air conditioning can pay big dividends. He said the company has a lot of machinery putting off a lot of heat, so it has a computer-controlled air conditioner.

"In every case, all of the changes have yielded savings for us," Bergami said. "It motivates us to do more of the same."

He said that even the company's recycling program, which costs little money, makes him feel like the company's doing everything it can.

"I would say, if you're not into it, you better look into it, because you're missing a great opportunity to save some money and be more competitive," Bergami said.