Sustainable Quality Awards 

Recognizing businesses in the Santa Monica area that are successfully putting sustainable practices into action. 

Awarded annually, the SQA promotes the efforts of local businesses making significant achievements in the areas of sustainable economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environment. The SQA nurtures Santa Monica’s sustainable business community, inspiring other businesses to adopt their own sustainable practices and providing residents and visitors with a healthy economy and environment.

The SQA Grand Prize is given for combined excellence in Sustainable Economic Development, Social Responsibility, and Stewardship of the Natural Environment.  Specific excellence awards are given to businesses with outstanding achievements in any one of the three areas.

Benefits

In addition to receiving a Sustainable Quality Award trophy, winning businesses receive special recognition and media attention to highlight their success as a model business. Award-winning businesses will receive:

• Recognition by City Council members and community stakeholders at the renowned SQA Annual Luncheon Ceremony in April.

• Coverage in local publications, such as BUSINESS Santa Monica, Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Time Warner Cable, and City TV.

• Access to SQA logo and promotional material to include in marketing efforts.

• Highlighted presence in Sustainable Santa Monica Newsletter, presentations and on Green Business Tours.

History

The SQA are the oldest and most rigorous sustainable business award in Southern California. 

Then Santa Monica Chamber President, Dan Ehrler, first brought forward the idea of hosting a 'Sustainable Quality Awards’ like program in Santa Monica.  Inspired by a similar award in Santa Cruz, Santa Monica modified and expanded the SQA (with permission from the folks in Santa Cruz) to reach all sectors of Santa Monica’s sustainable business community. 

The Chamber of Commerce and City of Santa Monica partnered to host the first SQA in 1995.  There were 12 nominees and 50 people attended the luncheon.  In 2001, Sustainable Works, responsible for providing a range of green business programs, became an SQA partner, expanding the SQA’s reach into the business community.  Today, we recognized 169 Santa Monica businesses with over 225 awards. The City of Santa Monica and Sustainable Works partner to host an annual awards ceremony at the Annenberg Community Beach House including City elected officials, business community, and residents.