Sustainable Quality Award Winners
Presented in alphabetical order. Click on a letter below for a listing of winners.
Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows
SQA Grand Prize, 2012
“We’re more than just a hotel – we are an urban oasis for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, we’re a meeting place for neighbors and community members and we’re the setting for families to be joined.”
The visionary statement and business model of the Fairmont makes this establishment a leader beyond the hospitality industry. The hotel also boasts a strong employee retention record with over 141 on staff for over 10 years. Employees enjoy benefits above and beyond most programs featuring medical and discounts at local fitness clubs, to Educational Assistance Programs – which offers financial assistance for part-time studies related to career objectives within the company. They strive to employ underrepresented members of the community by participating in recruitment seminars with organizations such as Chrysalis. Fairmont’s Green Partnership program, created in 1990, states a commitment to sustainable tourism including minimizing the hotel’s operational impacts on the planet. All carbon-causing activities are reported annually to calculate the company’s carbon footprint per corporate guidelines. Energy efficiency measures range from phasing in LED lights, and energy management systems to control devices and having staff members turn off lights in unoccupied rooms at night. Water use is cut via no-flush water free urinals in men’s restrooms. Guests who drive a hybrid receive discounted valet parking rates. The Green Partnership also includes community outreach, which is an integral part of the commitment to sustainability. Every year, Fairmont participates in events such as WWF Earth Hour, California Coastal Clean-Up and Bowl-a-thon and provides in-kind donations to over 200 Santa Monica and surrounding charities. An SQA judge noted “The Fairmont operates their hotel like a family”.
Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment and Social Responsibility, 2012
FIG Restaurant, housed in the Fairmont Miramar, works with local farmers, growers and purveyors to source products for their seasonal menus. They define ‘local’ as food within 100 miles of their location exceeding the “local” requirement of the US Green Building Council. To do their part for the planet, FIG Restaurant bottles its own filtered tap water onsite in reusable water bottles. Their well vodka is certified organic and comes in recyclable and refillable bottles. A recently installed cooling tower reduces energy use during down time. FIG restaurant also participates in Santa Monica’s Food Waste composting program and the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market Restaurant of the Week program. Used fryer oil is collected by a company called Further that turns the purified glycerin into products like hand soap – which FIG then purchases for use in their restrooms – completing the recycling loop. Community outreach is an integral part of their commitment to sustainability via Fairmont’s Green Partnership program. FIG also has an exhaustingly long list of donations to charitable events, ranging from silent auctions to raffles.
First Federal Bank of California
Honorable Mention, 1996
No additional information at this time
Excellence in Economic Development, 2010
Flair Cleaners is a family owned and successfully operated garment cleaner located in Santa Monica for over 20 years. Their commitment is "It’s Ready, It’s Right or It’s Free!" They have a Customer Service Hotline and a Customer Satisfaction Survey on their website which provides them with valuable feedback from customers on quality and service. Flair offers a VIP Express Service that features two free personalized reusable garment bags for dropping off cleaning without waiting with the option of an automatic credit card billing. They are the only Garment cleaner in Santa Monica that is a member of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and also belong to the Greater Los Angeles Dry Cleaners Association (GLADCA), the California Cleaners Association (CCA), the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI), and the US Chamber of Commerce.
Excellence Award in Social Responsibility, 1999
Futuredontics, also known as 1-800 DENTIST, is a cooperative dental marketing program committed to improving the life of its employees and the community. Employees enjoy a progressive package of benefits including a broad range of medical and retirement benefits, training in personal and professional growth, and special encouragement for actors and artists who work there. Among the community groups that have received generous financial support and/or participation from Futuredontics are Children's Dental Health Foundation, GAIN, American Red Cross, and Aids Walk Los Angeles.
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