Sustainable Quality Award Winners
Presented in alphabetical order. Click on a letter below for a listing of winners.
SQA Grand Prize, 2011
LAcarGUY is the number one Hybrid dealer in the world and Toyota Santa Monica is the number one Prius dealership in the world. LAcarGUY sells a wide variety of car manufacturers and a range of car prices including Toyota, Lexus, VW, Audi, Porsche, Scion and Fisker. By providing such a wide range of vehicles, LAcarGUY is able to offer vehicles at varied price points that utilize different energy sources (gasoline, hybrid, electric). This diversity of selection lends itself to all economic conditions as well as all levels of customer choice. In November 2010, Senator Pavley’s office presented Toyota Santa Monica with the coveted Environmental Sustainability Award. They are the first automotive dealer in the U.S. to house the ClipperCreek "Level 2" SAE J-1772 EVSE chargers for the new plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. The chargers are being offered at no cost to all major automakers' plug-in and hybrid vehicles in order to raise awareness of electric fuel vehicles provide the necessary infrastructure support and reduce "range anxiety."LAcarGUY renovated their Lexus Santa Monica dealership for $15 million instead of tearing it down and starting over. By doing this, the company created quality jobs, conserved materials and energy, and added to the economic development of the city. In January 2011, a major LED lighting retrofit was executed at Lexus Santa Monica. Results include an 82% reduction in wattage use in the used car lot and an 80% reduction in the new car lot. They have a Green Newsletter which includes tips for employees on how to conserve energy in the office and at home. In all of its efforts, LAcarGUY strives to give back to the community. In 2010, employees volunteered at 15 events for a total of 650+ pro-bono hours!
Excellence in Social Responsibility, 2017; Excellence in Social Responsibility, 2015
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica is a luxury and lifestyle hotel brand within the Starwood/Marriott portfolio. Le Meridien excels in a variety of programs and policies to ensure a positive work environment for employees. They provide staff bonuses for anniversary milestones, meals; and a variety of employee recognition activities - from proving exemplary customer service to simply gifting all their employed moms and dads for Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. Their commitment to staff development is demonstrating by offering cross training and promotions from within. These opportunities have proven to elevate staff moral and work ethic.
They host several events for charities that are deeply discounted. Some charitable partners include Pico Family Youth Center, Swim With Heart, Santa Monica/Malibu Education Foundation, Clare foundation, Sustainable Quality Awards event for the last 9 years.
Excellence Awards in Stewardship of the Natural Environmental and Social Responsibility, 2005
Liberty Hill Foundation partners with grassroots organizations to combat poverty and injustice, and ultimately to transform Los Angeles into a place that promises safety, equality and opportunity for all. Sustainable employment practices include a diverse workforce, progressive benefits packages and strong training programs.
Sustainable Quality Award, 2003
The Library Alehouse is a Main Street restaurant and bar specializing in microbrews from around the world. They incorporate organic ingredients throughout their menu and compost their kitchen waste. They are a major sponsor of many community programs, including the Ocean Park Community Clean-up. Owner David Lackman is Chairman of the Main Street Merchants’ association, and a well-known booster of the local retail community.
SQA Grand Prize, 2017; Excellence in Social Responsibility, 2010
LivingHomes is a designer and developer of modern, prefabricated homes that combine world-class architecture with an unparalleled commitment to healthy and sustainable construction. They design and build LEED Platinum level homes for individuals, developers, and non-profits. In response to the change of the market in the Great Recession, they created a line of affordable pre-fab homes.
LivingHomes provides 360 Employee Reviews that include peers, managers, and consultants. In 2017, LivingHomes hosted the native garden tour for the Theodore Payne Foundation. 50% of LivingHomes staff commute by bike to work!
SQA Grand Prize, 2008
The Lobster’s menu features classic American Seafood that is sustainably certified caught or farm raised. Their most recent accomplishment is installing a 9KW solar panel system via Solar Santa Monica’s program. The Lobster makes use of natural sunlight in the dining area which looks over Santa Monica Bay and the bar area integrates LED spotlights. They regularly stock two Green Seal certified chemicals. Staff receives financial incentives to commute using alternative transportation. Metro bus passes are obtained in bulk quantities, so staff can purchase passes at a discount. The space now occupied by The Lobster was vacant from 1986 through 1997. They invested approximately $1.8 million in the location in 1997 and opened for business as The Lobster in 1999, revitalizing the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier. The restaurant has achieved landmark status and attracts many out of town visitors which help boosts local economy and neighboring businesses.
SQA Grand Prize, 2015
Locanda del Lago is a upscale, Northern Italian restaurant overlooking the Third Street Promenade. Since 1991, Lago has dedicated itself as an ambassador of Santa Monica. Lago’s Michelin-starred chef procures local Farmers’ Market ingredients and sustainable proteins for the menu which include vegetarian, gluten-free, and free-range options. Lago’s staff receive above average wages for their sector as well as professional development opportunities. Employee retention is high – 26% employed over 12 years and 60% over 2 years. An active Chamber member, DTSM partner, SMCVB supporter, and City of Santa Monica advocate, Lago was voted Most Loved Business in Downtown Santa Monica.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (video)
SQA Grand Prize, 2016; Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment, 2015; Excellence in Social Responsibility, 2014; Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment, 2012; SQA Grand Prize, 2008;
Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is one of Los Angeles' most celebrated beachfront hotels. To ensure it excels in customer satisfaction, Loews closely monitors social media and responds accordingly. After guest complete surveys, findings are analyzed through a metric platform to identify areas for improvement.
A large water consumer, Loews participated in a program through Metropolitan Water District and the SoCal Gas Company to purchase the AquaRecycle laundry water recycling system, resulting in ROI within 17 months. Within the first year, Loews Santa Monica conserved 4 million gallons of water (saving $48,000), 400,000 KwH of energy ($58,000) and 42,500 therms of gas ($30,000).
Because valuing employee feedback often results in improved productivity, Loews conducts annual MyVoice surveys and places comment boxes throughout the back-of-the-house. To acknowledge a job well done, managers awards staff with "loots" and Star Cards that can be redeemed for paid vacation days, gift certificates and other rewards. Exceptional employee productivity is recognized through Team Member of the Month and Quarter with receptions and prizes. Winners are eligible for Loews Legacy titles, which come with larger prizes, including trips. Loews Santa Monica is also proud to provide a wide range of staff benefits and boasts that 70 employees have been with the hotel for 20 or more years.
To assist with job growth in the community, Loews partners with the Hospitality Training Academy (HTA) to help place at-risk youth in skilled jobs. Loews also partners with SMC's Recycling Resource Management Program, allowing students to perform waste audits.
Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment, 2007
London Sole is a specialty shoe shop dedicated to classic ballet flats and an eclectic mix of other flat soled shoes. Shoeboxes are made from recycled content and customers are given the option to leave their shoeboxes after purchase for reuse. Procurement practices include purchasing 60% recycled content paper towels, soy-based inks and biodegradable cleaners. They recently redecorated with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint to maintain good indoor air quality– which only cost $10 more than conventional paint.
Lotus East-West Medical Center
Excellence in Stewardship of the Environment, 2011
Lotus East-West Medical Center is an environmentally friendly, holistic primary care center providing acupuncture, oriental and naturopathic medicine, medical and osteopathic doctors, along with other related services. They were the first holistic medical center to achieve Santa Monica Green Business Certification in 2007. Highlights of their green building renovation include zero-VOC paint, formaldehyde-free plyboo flooring, reclaimed furniture and recycled jip-board. Environmentally-preferred procurement ranges from organic hand soap, lotion and triclosan-free hand sanitizers, to 100% post-consumer supplies like paper towels and business cards. They use Eco-font® for general printing which uses 20% less ink. Only non-toxic cleaning chemicals are stocked. They refill compostable bagasse cups with water from an onsite filtration unit installed in-house instead of purchasing bottled water. Unlike most medical facilities, they stock books on Edible Gardens and Ecological Design instead of conventional magazines. Lotus East-West office walls are decorated with paintings from local artists.
Excellence Award in Stewardship of the Natural Environmental, 2005
A retailer for yoga inspired athletic apparel, Lululemon features clothing that incorporates recycled materials and natural fibers. They also provide information on local yoga and fitness related classes. Their company policy mandates that each branch elect a "green" employee to incorporate sustainable measures such as posting eco-related facts on their community board and using less toxic cleaners.
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