By Daily Press staff
Numerous businesses were honored Tuesday for their environmental stewardship.
The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and City Hall staff announce this year’s Sustainable Quality Award (SQA) winners at a luncheon at Le Merigot Hotel.
“This was one of the most diverse and highly accomplished groups of applicants we have had,” said Dean Kubani, acting manager of City Hall’s environmental programs division. “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.”
The voluntary activities the businesses have undertak-en result 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, environmentalists said.
Five out of the 11 finalists 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.
The 2006 SQA Winners are: THE AMBROSE The Ambrose hotel is a partner and member of the Green Hotels Association, a participant in Sustainable Works’ Business Greening Program and California Sustainable winner. They recycle and compost more than 60 percent of their waste output. The Ambrose donates regularly to local non-profit organizations.
EDSA EDSA is an international landscape architecture and planning firm that offers ecological and ecotourism plan-ning. The local office introduced EDSA’s first “green team” to bring sustainability into office operations. They procure eco-friendly products and services ranging from biodegradable cleaning products to 100 percent recycled tissue paper.
KONING EIZENBERG ARCHITECTURE All of Koning Eizenberg’s projects express a commitment to sustainability. They have designed numerous LEED projects including Virginia Avenue Park. Their office is a living laboratory for green building design and highlights a passive solar vented wall, and extensive day lighting and natural ventilation to reduce energy use.
PATAGONIA Patagonia, Santa Monica is part of a $250 million international company that designs and distributes outdoor clothing. Patagonia recycles in-house materials and also collects worn-out garments from customers and recycles them into polyester (PET) used to make new filament yarns.
RAND CORP.
RAND conducts research and provides analysis to address challenges that face the United States and the world. The newly constructed Santa Monica RAND headquarters features a dual plumbing system linked to City Hall’s reclaimed water facility (SMURFF) for toilet flushing and for perimeter landscape irrigation.
UNURBAN COFFEEHOUSE Unurban Coffeehouse is one of the last bohemian cafés and community-driven social houses in Santa Monica. They incorporate organics into their menu of homemade meals and hot and cold beverages. They support local artists and make their space available for community meetings and cultural events.
WALDORF EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Using a “zero waste” mindset, teachers prepare homemade snacks for children using ceramic plates, silverware and cloth napkins. Teachers and children pick produce from the school garden for lunches and snacks.
CALIFORNIA RECYCLES California Recycles is a registered electronic waste collector in West Los Angeles. They prevent various hazardous waste items from ending up in landfills.
EUPHORIA LOVES RAWVOLUTION Euphoria is the first and only raw, vegan market in the USA. Currently, about 95 percent of all foods are USDA certified organic. They require all of their vendors to stock certified organic alternatives.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 4, 2006. Read the original PDF.