Sustainable Quality Award Winners
Presented in alphabetical order. Click on a letter below for a listing of winners.
SQA Grand Prize, 2017; Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment, 2016
The Albright, a family owned and operated seafood restaurant on the world famous Santa Monica Pier offers fresh, local and sustainable seafood dishes in a laid back environment. The Albright established a sustainable committee under the Santa Monica Pier Lessee's Association to focus on integrating sustainable practices like recycling and organics collection for all pier tenants.
The Albright fosters employee education in the restaurant field by offering tuition reimbursement, as well as free ESL courses. The Albright never turns away “at risk youth” or any potential employees with disabilities. Owners are active in engaging youth with Gear Up 4 LA, who aims to increase students success in high school, persistence in college and preparation for life-long learning.
Currently, the Albright is working with the City of Santa Monica’s Planning Department to advocate for skateboarding in bike lanes to promote public transit use. They are active supporters of Santa Monica Bike Month, participating in both Bike Week and Bike to Work Day.
Awards employee incentive program rewarding individuals that support their mission by displaying significant effort to tread lightly on the earth.
Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment, 2015
The Alchemie Spa is a local, organic neighborhood spa located on Main Street. Their eco-friendly and modern sanctuary for beauty rituals and healing incorporates recycled, renewable, and sustainable materials. They set themselves apart with walls made of sustainable cork, sea grass, recycled wood, and coconut fiber. Alchemie has their own internal Sustainability Awards employee incentive program rewarding individuals that support their mission by displaying significant effort to tread lightly on the earth.
Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment, 2013; Sustainable Quality Award, 2006
The Ambrose offers a touch of holistic hospitality by blending upscale tranquility with affordable luxury and low impact hotel practices. They provide non-toxic guest rooms, sustainable cuisine and bike rentals; for employees they provide bike storage and showers, preferred parking for hybrid vehicles and complementary bus passes. The Ambrose uses a preferred list of vendors that comply with their sustainable business policies. Among various achievements, they were the first US hotel to receive LEED for Existing Buildings Silver Certification.
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
Excellence in Economic Development, 2017
The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, located in Santa Monica for over 10 years, provides a multi-functional community presence to raise funds through the sale of donated merchandise and bring community awareness to the fight against cancer. With shopping, their customers are given the opportunity to buy local, being that the items donated to the shop are from community members. They provide customers the opportunity to practice the 3 R’s: reuse, recycle & repurpose.
The Society supports the professional development of its employees and volunteers through a corporate university that offers online and face-to-face classes aligned to the Society’s Core
Competencies. They participate in many community events hosted by the Chamber and Buy-Local Santa Monica.
Sustainable Quality Award, 2004
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica is led by volunteers. Provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. To make the connection between human health and the health of the environment, it recently participated in the City of Santa Monica’s thermometer exchange program, which replaced over 250 mercury thermometers with non-mercury alternatives and it takes part in several material exchange programs. In addition, its staff uses electric vehicles for local errands, it offers several community classes at discounted rates and utilizes volunteers from a multitude of community groups.
Excellence in Economic Development, 2024
Angeles Investment Advisors is a 100% employee owned, multi-asset investment firm, building customized portfolios for institutional and private wealth investors. Proud to be recognized for putting people and planet right up there with profit, they are Certified B Corporation* (which is very uncommon for this industry!) with four US locations (Santa Monica, New York, Chicago and Houston).
Angeles showcases commendable initiatives through innovative employee profit-sharing, and investments in employee development – focusing on the individual skillsets, offering tuition reimbursement and growth opportunities in house. Angeles' strategy for economic growth is recognized through their market responsiveness. Their dedication to community support, diversity and fostering team cohesion is applauded. Altogether, Angeles’ initiatives showcase a strong commitment to sustainability, setting a positive example within their industry.
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Apogee Electronics Corporations (video)
SQA Grand Prize, 2017
Founded in 1985, Apogee Electronics designs and manufactures award-winning audio recording solutions that are easy to use and sound amazing. For 30 years Apogee has been an innovator and industry leader in digital audio recording.
In addition to being manufactured entirely in Southern California, Apogee offers a wide variety of products that span from $99 to $3,000+. To keep up with changing customers’ needs in the last decade, Apogee spearheaded the home studio revolution with innovative and affordable products.
All proceeds for the use of Apogee Studio goes directly to Corazon De Vido, a US based charity providing funding, services and support to Mexico’s abandoned and orphaned children. Apogee partnered with Beats by Girlz, an industry initiative design to empower females to engage with music technology and build communities.
Apogee installed a 32 kWh solar array that supplies 60% of their total power and electrical requirements. The system also charges a battery back-up storage that fulfills Apogee’s power needs in the event of emergency.
Arbor View Rehabilitation Center
Great Start Award, 2004
Arbor View Rehabilitation and Wellness Center officially opened their doors to residents on March 1st 2004 and have already integrated several sustainable actions into their workplace. Their Wellness Program integrates environmental issues such as organic cooking, recycling and the use of less toxic chemicals.
Excellence in Economic Development, 2019; Excellence in Social Responsibility, 2018; Excellence in Economic Development, 2016
Arthur Murray provides instruction in all styles of social and competitive ballroom dancing through personal sessions, group classes and practice sessions. Their Mission Statement is: “To Change Lives One Step at a Time”
Arthur Murray Santa Monica’s diversification of services ranging from dance competitions/events, and weddings – which addresses changes in dance industry and reflects customer and staff feedback.
They have an impressive employee handbook demonstrating deep commitment to sustainable business operations through employee education and training. Their commitment to staff development includes international dance trips, and various reward incentives. They show commitment giving back to Santa Monica by regularly donating gift certificates and entertainment services to support charitable events Arthur Murray staff see themselves in the 'quality of life' business rather than the ‘dance business’.
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Excellence in Environmental Stewardship, 2024
Avocado, a conscious lifestyle brand, strives to create products that blend health, wellness, social responsibility, and sustainability. Their goal is to offer the most respected organic and natural bedding at affordable prices while maintaining environmentally conscious and ethical business practices throughout the supply chain.
Mattresses are sourced and produced in a highly sustainable manner – offering adhesives that do not off-gas, no toxic flame retardants, hemp or other organic materials, the list goes on… In addition, to being Climate Neutral and Fair Trade Certified, AVOCADO is also a B Certified Corporation that donates one percent of all revenues to environmental nonprofits through their membership with 1% For The Planet.
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