By Lookout Staff
March 20 – Lawyers are getting into the act. So are hospitals and cab companies and grocery stores, print shops and schools.
All were among the winners of a 2009 Sustainable Quality Award (SQA) from the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable Works and the City of Santa Monica for their efforts to help clean up the environment.
The companies’ voluntary efforts have resulted in “cleaner air and water, less waste, reduced traffic and pollution, improved quality of life for residents and workers, and a strong and viable local economy,” according to City and Chamber officials.
“This was a very diverse and highly accomplished group of applicants,” said Dean Kubani, manager of the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment. “Our hope is that we can promote a business climate where all businesses achieve the level of commitment to sustainability that these award winners exemplify.”
And if ever there was a time to practice sustainable measures, officials said, it is during the current economic slump when businesses are quickly recognizing that being green is a smart business practice.
“Now more than ever it is clear that the future of our city and nation is going to be based on environmental, social and economic viability,” said Laurel Rosen, president and CEO of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.”
“The businesses being recognized for their contribution to our city realize that being green is not only a good investment in the community but a very smart business plan for future success,” Rosen said.
The four grand prize winners for the Excellence Category are:
Bryan Cave LLP, a leading business and litigation firm whose sustainable business practices range from adopting the ABA-EPA Law Office climate Challenge to purchasing post-consumer content recycled paper supplies and mugs for more than 1,000 employees worldwide. The firm also partners with local non-profits, coordinates beach clean-ups and encourages workers to participate in sustainable workshops during paid work hours.
Saint John’s Health Center, founded in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, provided more than $3.9 million in community benefits last year. The hospital has a co-gen facility that produces 95 percent of the power for the new Chan Soon-Shiong building. The hospital also saves 300,000 gallons of water daily by recycling wastewater from their HVAC and also recycles more than 150 tons of paper and 96 tons of cardboard a year.
Taxi! Taxi! -- the largest, oldest, locally-owned and operated taxicab company in Santa Monica -- was the first cab company in LA County to debut Hybrid cabs and remains the leader in the LA market with the largest fleet, now 10 strong. Taxi! Taxi!’s Hybrids prevent 700 tons of toxic GHGs from polluting the planet and save more than 60,000 gallons of gasoline annually. The brilliant and efficient paperless dispatching system saves nearly one million pieces of paper annually.
Whole Foods Market has made a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture, supporting local communities and natural environment. The market procures Fair Trade priced products such as coffee, jewelry, arts and crafts from individuals living in third world countries and provides education and medical benefits for its workers. Last year, Whole Foods banned the use of plastic bags nation-wide. It also recycles cans, plastic, glass, mixed paper, food waste, and construction waste, diverting 80 percent of its waste from landfills.
Among other award winners were Blair Graphics, which won for Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment and Economic Development for initiating a “Green Program” that works with clients to identify sustainable solutions for their presentation and marketing materials.
Business.com was the winner of an Excellence in Social Responsibility award for offering its workers health benefits and tuition reimbursement and donating leftover foods to the Santa Monica West Side Food Bank. The company pioneered an employee ‘Green Team’ in 2006, consisting of roughly a dozen employees with a mission to introduce and sustain efficient business operations in order to obtain Santa Monica Green Business Certification (www.smgbc.org).
Also winning an Excellence in Social Responsibility award was the Pluralistic School #1, an
Elementary School that incorporates employee driven leadership programs and offers a range of work-life programs for employees and their families. The school also supports local charities.
The winner of the Excellence in Economic Development was Community Corporation of Santa Monica, the City’s largest provider of affordable housing. The non-profit agency buys buildings and extends thier useful life by between 40 and 50 years.The agency’s new developments feature environmentally-friendly design, materials and technology such as water and energy conservation, energy production, and green building materials.
Santa Monica College was the winner of an award for Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment.
SMC’s Center for Environmental and Urban Studies was recently renovated to incorporate green building materials, so students and community members can learn how to reduce their environmental impact and lead a more sustainable lifestyle. SMC also offers students extra credit by participating in an extra curricular Environmental workshop and recycled 2.8 tons of food waste last year. The school also launched a program that offers free rides on the Big Blue Bus to all students, faculty and staff..
Also winning an award for Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment was the Studio of Environmental Architecture, which focuses on the design and construction of environmentally responsible residential and commercial buildings. S.E.A.’s office uses 40 percent less energy than an average office its size. It also recycled some construction and demolition waste locally and promotes alternative transportation by storing an electric bicycle onsite for employee use.
One of the Sustainable Quality Award Grand Prize Winners and three of the Excellence Winners participated in the Sustainable Works Business Greening Program. The Business Greening Program is a FREE service for businesses located in Santa Monica and provides the SQA with several strong candidates each year. Please contact Sustainable Works at 310.458.8716 x2 for more information.
Winners will be honored at the Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon. This year’s luncheon will include keynote speakers: Sheila Kuehl, former California State Senator and, Andy Lipkis, Tree People Founder and President. Peter Kreitler, host of Earth Talk Today, will Emcee.
The Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 25th from 11:30am-2pm at the Sheraton Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica. Pre-paid tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $55 for non-members until March 18th. Please reserve tickets by calling 310.393.9825. Tickets can also be purchased at www.smchamber.com/events.
