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By Lookout Staff

December 18 – From hotel workers using a salt and water solution to clean to a tour of green roofs for high school students to a restaurant forged from recovered boards, Santa Monica businesses are increasingly going green.

The three businesses -- the Sheraton Delfina, the David Hertz Studio of Environmental Architecture and Kreation Kafe -- have been certified green with Santa Monica’s two year old Green Business Certification (SMGBC) Program.

“Originally conceived of as a way to identify local business leaders, the program is unearthing innovation, creating networks, and providing options for consumers where none existed before,” said Andrew Basmajian, the City's environmental outreach coordinator.

At the Sheraton Delfina, workers start the day by cleaning and sanitizing guestrooms with a
state-of-the-art non-toxic cleaning system that electrolyzes tap water and salt.

“We are committed to serving as a role model for all our properties, as well as for the community at large,” said Glenn Epstein, executive assistant at the Sheraton Delfina. “We are thrilled to be the first luxury hotel in Santa Monica to be certified via Santa Monica’s program.”

To reduce energy costs, the newly renovated hotel – which will host the Santa Monica’s 2009 Sustainable Quality Award luncheon -- replaced 3,100 incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps that will save approximately 459,000 KW per year.

Midway across town, David Hertz has been designing and building environmentally responsible residential and commercial buildings from a reconditioned office space that includes a green roof with drought tolerant plants and solar panels.

“It is one of the first of its kind in the LA area," Basmajian said.“A green roof insulates really well, protects the Bay from polluted rainwater runoff, reduces the heat island effect, and generates electricity.”

Further north, at Kreation Kafe, diners can enjoy a healthy meal in a unique atmosphere of “living walls” comprised of hanging succulents and recovered decking materials.

This month, the Green Business Certification program also recognized Apogee Electronics Corporation and the Bryan Cave Law Offices as new members.

“These innovations and more are examples of what any business can strive for,” Basmajian said.