The Ambrose
1255 20th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 315-1555
www.ambrosehotel.com

By blending upscale tranquility with affordable luxury and low impact hotel practices, The Ambrose offers guests a touch of truly holistic hospitality. In addition to being the first pilot City Santa Monica Green Certified Hotel in 2006, an ENERGY STAR certified facility that has met strict energy performance standards, member of the Green Hotels Association, and the first hotel in the USA to receive a United States Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings Silver Certification, The Ambrose is definitely committed to protecting the environment and preserving precious natural resources.

The Ambrose diverts over 70% of their waste from ending up in landfill via reduce, reusing practices and co-mingled recycling, along with offsite composting of their food waste.  They have been cleaning guest rooms with environmentally-friendly cleaners before green became the new black.  Sustainable purchasing incorporates 100% post-consumer content printing paper, business cards, and complimentary earth-friendly amenities such as a gourmet continental breakfast, including fresh fruit, organic yogurt and Starbucks fair trade organic coffee. Drip irrigation is installed for landscaping, and mulch is applies to lock in moisture and as a natural pest deterrent. A SAVE THE PLANET board lists environmental tips, local ordinances and resources to keep staff updated on sustainability issues. The Ambrose regularly donates to non-profit organizations and promotes the good work they are doing throughout the community in their monthly e-newsletter.

^top

Aura Shop
2914 Main Street
Santa Monica CA, 90405
www.aurashop.com

Aura Shop is a resource center for self-awareness and self-empowerment, providing tools and services to balance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy.

Aura Shop participated in the Energy Coalition Free Tune-up program in 2008 and replaced 20 incandescent high-wattage flood lights with more efficient compact fluorescent alternatives and, installed a motion sensor in their storage room. This retrofit resulted in over $100 savings per month. In 2010, they furthered reduced their energy use by retrofitting all lights to LEDs. Their retail store displays many LED lighting alternatives ranging from spot lights, rope lights and LED accent lighting. To date, they have seen a further 20% reduction (an additional $70) off their first energy bill. They also purchase eco conscious office supplies and janitorial products such as paper towels, tissue paper, and printing paper containing post-consumer recycled content. They stock natural cleaners like vinegar & water for windows, and use long-lasting concentrated natural cleaners, such as Thieves, that are diluted with water. Customers are always asked if they need a bag for their purchase.

^top

Back on the Beach Café
445 Pacific Coast Hwy
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310.393.8282

Nestled on a wide stretch of sandy beach, Back on the Beach Café offers meals featuring local and seasonal cuisine with breathtaking views of ocean, mountain, pier, and Catalina Island since opening its doors in 1989. Both indoor & outdoor seating is available, along with catering services and event planning. After a recent and extensive restaurant remodel in 2010, Back on the Beach Café re-opened its doors to a greener more efficient operation.                                             

Back on the Beach Café regularly sources certified USDA organic canned tomatoes, seasonal veggies and coffee. In 2011, they participated in SoCal Edison’s FREE Direct Install program available to small medium sized businesses, and received FREE efficient lighting upgrades. They have an eco-procurement policy to give preference to post-consumer recycled content office and janitorial supplies such as business cards and tissue paper, and locally sourced products when feasible.  They stock the bottle box containers made from 100% plastic bottles and take-away paper containers that are made in the USA. Tables are set with reusable silverware, plates and placemats.

Their biggest green business successes is diverting over 70% of their waste from landfill via composting their food waste via the City’s City of Santa Monica’s Restaurant Food Waste program and recycling cans, plastic, glass, paper and cardboard. Additionally, they go the extra green mile by stocking Green Seal Certified Ecolab Oasis line of institutional cleaners.

^top

Bru's Wiffle (A Waffle Joint)
2408 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.453.2787
www.bruswiffle.com
Contact: bruswiffle@gmail.com

Bru’s Wiffle is a cozy, bright yellow Waffle Joint where everything (including the waffles!) is made from scratch, using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Also featuring, gluten-free waffles, this family-friendly establishment makes kid-sized waffles at kid-sized prices.  

Owner, Ebru Fidan, successfully practices zero waste measures at her restaurant. Before implementing Food Waste composting, she was recycling 40% of waste stream (cans, plastic, glass, paper, cardboard). With the addition of composting via Santa Monica’s Food Waste Composting program , the waffle joint is now recycling 85-90% of their waste stream. They barely uses the trash bin! Bru’s Wiffle also excels in reduce and reusing practices and greening her supplier chain. Instead of recycling empty jugs of dishwashing sanitizer, rinse and detergent cleaners, she goes above and beyond by arranging with her chemical supplier, Auto-Chlor, to take back the containers for refilling! Her bread delivery company also agrees to reuse the paper bags her baked goods are delivered in for her orders.

By installing 0.5 gallon per minute aerators and an ultra-efficient pre-rinse spray nozzle by Fisher, Bru’s Wiffle also excels in water efficiency.  In line with their Zero Waste efforts and in preparation for Santa Monica’s upcoming plastic bag ban on September 1st 2011, you can soon find Bru’s Wiffle reusable canvas bags up for grabs too. For a small waffle joint, Bru’s Wiffle makes a big difference in terms of reducing their ecological footprint!

^top

Cars.com (office)
701 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 310. Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.394.6430
www.cars.com

Visited by more than 10 million car shoppers each month, Cars.com is the leading destination for online car shoppers, offering credible and easy-to-understand information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car.

To promote staff to commute via alternative transportation Cars.com provides secure indoor bike parking station featuring handy bike stands. This is a worthy sustainable business practice for a company in the auto industry to do. The office performed a comprehensive lighting retrofit, replacing inefficient T12 fluorescents lights with T8 electronic ballasts, to fulfill the GBC energy efficient requirement. Lights in offices are set to motion sensors. The kitchen is stocked with reusable kitchenware for staff use. In the cozy staff lounge renovated with low VOC paint, the wall is covered with portraits of employee pictures highlighting their positions and personal interests –  a good work-life balance visual for employees to enjoy.  Cars.com office also features an abundance of natural light.

^top

CaseStack
2850 Ocean Park Blvd, Suite 100
Santa Monica , CA 90405
www.casestack.com

CaseStack provides logistics outsourcing services to companies that sell products to retailers, distributors and other manufacturers. This certification signifies that CaseStack's green business operations align
with their strategy as a growing business offering green supply chain and total logistics solutions. CaseStack offers retailer-driven consolidation and biodiesel fuelled trucks to minimize emissions while maximizing cost savings.

Other highlights of their green business operations include installing devices called "Vending Misers" on vending machines that cut energy use by approximately 40%.  CaseStack's IT department uses an application called "Easy GPO", available via Energy Star's website, that enables easy set up for computers to go into sleep mode when not in use after 15 minutes. Casestack regularly purchases facial tissue and napkins made from 100% post-consumer content recycled paper from Staples. Copy paper ranges from 30-100% post-consumer content. They also purchase non-toxic cleaners, such as Method from Staples Eco Easy online catalogue - which offers easy to follow list of eco-conscious products.

^top

The CoffeeSpot
1900 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.CollegeFoodService.com
Contact: Mike Eghbali, Owner
Tel: 310.458.4761

The Coffee Spot is the second Green Business Certified food establishment at Santa Monica College. Owner, Mike Eghbali has certified both of his Starbucks establishments.

Not only are coffee beans fair-trade certified, but used coffee grounds are collected and then composted in the College’s industrial vermi-composter. The composting system uses a specific breed of worms called “red worms” or “vermi-worms” to transform food waste into a nutrient rich compost which is then used to fertilize the campus grounds.

In the administrative offices, printing cartridges are refilled with ink purchased from the supplier – this means cartridges are used over and over and again, instead of disposed of each time they run empty. This measure not only saves money, but also saves valuable resources like energy, water and petroleum used to produce the plastic required for the cartridge. The Coffee House stocks organic to-go items.  They purchase recycled paper napkins and printing paper contains 30% post-consumer content recycled material. Of course all to-go containers are recyclable or compostable in compliance with the City of Santa Monica’s Non-Recyclable Food Service Container Ban. Low VOC paints are used faculty wide. Low VOC paints are used facility wide when renovating.

^top

Community Corporation of Santa Monica
1423 2nd Street. Suite B. Santa Monica, CA 90401. 310.394.8487
www.communitycorp.org

Community Corporation of Santa Monica is a locally based, non-profit organization committed to developing and managing 1470 affordable housing within the City of Santa Monica. They demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability by extending their environmentally-friendly practices to over 80 affordable housing properties in addition to their internal operations.

Their 2nd Street office completed successful water and energy efficiency retrofits. In the restrooms, high efficiency faucet aerators set on motion sensors emit 0.5 gallons of water per minute. To comply with the required energy efficiency measures for Green Business Certification, their office performed a successful lighting retrofit to reduce energy use. T8 fluorescents and various LED lamps replace old inefficient incandescents and fluorescents.

Community Corp’s office kitchen stocks ample reusable dishware for employees. For events, biodegradable paper plates and recycled content napkins are used. An onsite water filtration system replaces a water delivery service – saving them money and reducing carbon emissions associated with previous motor vehicle transportation of water.

Community Corp also uses low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints in their housing units to help foster good indoor air quality. They also host Sustainable Works Green Living Workshops to educate their tenants on recycling procedures for their residential units. They are also a 2009 Sustainable Quality Award Excellence winner.

^top

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
1351 Third Street Promenade, Suite 201
Santa Monica, CA
310.393.8355
www.downtownsm.com

Downtown Santa Monica Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) is a public-private management company that oversees Downtown Santa Monica and the world famous Third Street Promenade. Downtown Santa Monica is the area defined by Wilshire Boulevard on the north, Broadway on the south, Ocean Avenue on the west, and Seventh Street on the east. The Central Business District is a larger area defined by Wilshire Boulevard, Colorado and Ocean Avenues and Seventh Street.  

DTSM, Inc. oversees the day-to-day operations in Downtown Santa Monica on behalf of the City of Santa Monica, to promote economic stability, growth and community life within Downtown Santa Monica through responsible planning, development, management and coordination of programs, projects and services designed to benefit the community as a whole; which includes  Downtown businesses, property owners, residents and visitors, Ambassadors and Enhanced Maintenance programs, management of capital improvements, marketing, events, film shoots and special projects. 

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc’s mission includes promoting and incorporating sustainability - economic stability, growth and community life -within Downtown Santa Monica. In line with their mission – they practice what they preach – by integrating sustainable practices into their own business operations. Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. provides only reusable glasses, mugs, silverware and plates for meetings in-house. Water refills are provided by an onsite filtration system– eliminating delivery or purchase of bottled water. They exclusively stock non-toxic green cleaning products purchased from their office supply company or local stores– including automatic dishwashing detergent and Gojo Green Seal Certified Foam Hand Cleaner. Eco-procurement policies list giving preference to supplies containing minimum 30% post-consumer recycled content and refillable pens. As a public-private management company in line with the City of Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Plan, they promote and try to encourage downtown businesses to engage in city programs such as Monica campaign and Green Business Certification via their e-newsletters.

^top

Essential Living Foods distributes and sells natural, nutritious organic foods, produced using fair trade and sustainable farming practices.  Their mission is to promote health and wellbeing by supplying nutritious Superfoods and exotic snacks and foods extremely high in antioxidants and other nutrients.

The Essential Living Foods brand is packaged in eco-friendly packaging made from 100% recycled paper printed with soy inks, recycled steel tin and biodegradable cellulose bags.  They purchase Renewable Energy Credits to offset the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the importation of their products.

Essential Living Foods office was built with all sustainable, low-toxic, green building materials and furniture.  All paints used are zero or low-VOC and water based. FLOR carpet squares contain post-consumer recycled content materials and are formaldehyde free. Durra Board wall partitions used for office cubicles are made with recovered agriculture fiber. Wall panels, manufactured by 3Form contain recycled plastic.   Restrooms are fitted with dual flush toilets and waterless urinals. Plywood made with soy adhesives are used for office desks and all wood cabinets are certified sustainably harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council. They use natural ventilation – opening doors to facilitate cross breezes – more often than their mechanized air cooling system.  Restrooms are fitted with dual flush toilets and waterless urinals. An onsite water filtration system refills reusable employee containers and glasses, and eliminates the waste and cost associated with bottled water.

From the way their food products are grown, transported, and packaged to their Santa Monica office space, Essential Living Foods strives to protect the environment and promote sustainability in everything they do.

^top

Gorman and Miller
201 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA
310.394.4747
www.gormanmiller.com

Gorman & Miller is a sophisticated, Santa Monica-based law firm, with an emphasis on commercial real estate transactions, business and real estate litigation, venture capital transactions, and probate and estate planning. They integrate Environmental policies into employee manuals, making sure each employee is knowledgeable about the maintenance of an environmentally-friendly space.  Their Santa Monica office was recently retrofitted with LED lights; and all cleaning chemicals procured in-house are non-toxic. Additionally, the printing paper stocked at Gorman & Miller is sustainably sourced – Forest Stewardship Council certified and contains minimum 30% post-consumer content.  Other supplies such as notepads and paper towels also contain 30-60% post-consumer content.  To further reduce their ecological footprint, they eliminate individual bottles of water by refilling glassware and stock reusable mugs.

Gorman & Miller excels at using modern technology to reduce the extensive use of paper in both transactional and litigated matters. They use a paperless online document management system called the Closing Table® (www.iclosings.com) which enables clients and their counterparties to securely access, approve and digitally sign documents via any Internet connected device.  

^top

Hostelling International – Los Angeles/ Santa Monica
1436 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.393.9913
www.hilosangeles.org
Contact: Tatiane Rodrigues

Hostelling International-Los Angeles/Santa Monica reveals an eco-friendly, high-end hostel experience two blocks from the beach.  The environmentally conscious hostel features 260 beds on four floors with a member's kitchen, game room, computer center, library, laundry facilities, and movie and television room. Throughout the hostel, natural light shines inside via windows and skylights. The communal kitchen is stocked with only reusable dishes and utensils for guests to wash and sanitize after use. The colorful walls are coated with low to zero-VOC paints.

Hostelling International in Santa Monica uses environmentally-friendly cleaning methods facility wide such as vinegar and peroxide based Green Seal Certified cleaners. They use a very innovative, non-toxic window cleaning method called the Ionator EXP™ which is a cleaning dispenser that converts tap water into ionized water. The ionized water can also be used as a general purpose cleaner. By participating in a SoCal Edison Express Efficiency program, vending machines have Vending Miser motion sensor devices installed –cutting energy use up to 40%. Many major appliances and office equipment such as refrigerators, vending machines and copiers are Energy Star®.  All office paper is printed on both sides before it is recycled and contains minimum 30% post-consumer content.

^top

Leaf Lifestyle Inc.
1617 Broadway, Suite C
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.707.1772
Contact: info@leaflifestyle.com

LEAF Lifestyle offers personal training and lifestyle transformation services. Through a holistic approach to health and wellness, we empower our clients to take control of their quality of life. All LEAF programs are centered on the principle of lifelong learning. 

LEAF’s fitness space uses natural ventilation instead of mechanical air conditioning. Cross breezes are facilitated by open doors and windows. Aside from their kitchen and restroom, the rest of the facility uses natural sunlight. One of their greatest successes is achieving an 82% reduction in their energy bill after performing simple energy retrofits. By frosting their front windows ($50 cost), replacing 10 incandescent flood lights with LED floodlights ($250), and insulating their outdoor sauna to increase heat retention ($100), they cut their energy bill from $250 to $45 per month - totaling a savings of over $2460 annually! With upfront retrofit costs of these measures totaling $400, they achieved payback in just 2 months. LEAF Lifestyle is a member of Buy Local Santa Monica and support their local economy by and purchasing locally from other members. With the use of non-toxic chemicals and natural ventilation, they have excellent indoor air quality.

The Lobster, located near the historic Santa Monica Pier, boasts an appealing ocean-side view and features a classic American menu integrating sustainably certified wild caught or farm raised seafood. Executive Chef Colin Crannell can be found in the morning walking the Santa Monica farmer’s market shopping for local seasonal produce to create simple yet elegant dishes.

Lotus East-West Medical Center
2104 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.828.8258
www.lotusew.com

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 alcohol hand sanitizer (triclosan-free), to 100% post-consumer paper products like paper towels and business cards. Only organic, caffeine-free teas are purchased. They use “Eco-font” for general printing which uses 20% less ink. All off-site printing is contracted by Greener Printer. Non-toxic cleaning chemicals are used facility wide. They refill compostable bagasse cups with water from an onsite filtration unit installed in-house instead of purchasing plastic 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 a artwork from local artists. 

^top

Real Food Daily (Restaurant)
514-516 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.realfood.com

Contact: jessicag@realfood.com

Real Food Daily (RFD) is the premiere organic vegan restaurant in Southern California. Founded by Ann Gentry, a pioneer in the vegan and green food movement, RFD first opened in Santa Monica in 1993. The restaurant’s interior integrates green building materials such as a large repurposed dining table made from a fallen tree in Gilroy, CA.  Eating a plant-based diet goes further than any other single effort to lower one’s carbon footprint and help preserve the environment.  Besides serving an exclusive vegan menu, RFD is committed to using organic produce and ingredients. About 90% of the food prepared is certified organic and 40% is sourced locally.

Marketing materials such as menus, business cards, and in store promotional materials are printed using soy-based ink on paper that contains 100% post-consumer recycled waste. Paper used office-wide, including bathroom tissue, is made from 100% post-consumer recycled content. Energy efficient hand air blowers in restrooms replace paper towels. Energy Star equipment can be found in offices and kitchen. The restaurant relies on the natural outdoor light during the day to save energy. All lights are on dimmers and inefficient lights not on a dimmer, have been replaced with LEDs. Windows are tinted with film to reduce solar heat gain.  RFD participates in the Santa Monica’s Food Waste Composting program – diverting all of their pre-consumer food scraps from kitchen prepping. Their commitment to sustainability extends to their cleaning products in both dining rooms and kitchen. As a socially responsible business, RFD regularly donates meal gift certificates and participates in many local charity fundraisers.  Most local staff bikes, walks or rides the bus to work.

^top

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (Office)
1920 Main Street. Suite B. Santa Monica, CA, 90405
310.319.6263
www.santamonica.com

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. Santa Monica CVB has been a Green Business Certification Program founding partner since 2007. Santa Monica CVB promotes Santa Monica’s sustainable lifestyle, green-certified businesses, farmers markets and more in their marketing and services to tourists, residents, and local businesses.

The Santa Monica CVB administrative office and Walk-in Visitor Center features ample sunlight through skylights and windows – so energy used for lighting is minimal.   The staff kitchen is stocked with reusable kitchenware. Any meetings taking place in their conference room comes with water and refreshments in reusable glassware or mugs. Use Water Wisely and Turn off prompt signs are posted office-wide. They worked with their cleaning contractors to switch to less toxic cleaning alternatives. Natural oil reed diffusers replaced synthetic aerosol sprays in restrooms. Staff performs local errands by foot or by bike using employee bicycles safely stored onsite. 

^top

Ocean View Hotel
1447 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica CA, 90401
310.458.4888
www.oceanviewsantamonica.com/

Highlights of Ocean View Hotel green business practices range from energy & water efficiency, environmentally conscious office purchasing, and use of less-toxic cleaning chemicals exclusively facility-wide.

Ocean View Hotel has participated in various SoCal Edison rebate programs – and received a comprehensive lighting retrofit facility-wide including the installation of fluorescent lighting and motion sensors. They received a Certificate of Recognition for participating in Edison’s Demand Side Management Program – where businesses earn financial incentives to voluntarily reduce power usage when statewide energy supplies are low. Further efforts to reduce water and energy go along with their towel and linen reuse policy for hotel guests.

Staff turns off Heating, Ventilation & Cooling (HVAC) units and lights in unoccupied rooms which are cleaned using Eco-lab’s less toxic Oasis Green Seal certified cleaner line comprising of multi-purpose, bathroom, glass, and deodorizers. They regularly purchase post-consumer recycled content paper supplies from printing paper to paper towels. They promote alternative transportation to guests by stocking local Big Blue Bus maps.

^top

Röckenwagner Bakery (restaurant/ café)
311 Arizona Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.394.4267
www.Rockenwagner.com

Located just off Santa Monica's busy 3rd Street Promenade, Rockenwagner Bakery/Cafe caters to the surrounding local businesses as well as to the area's international tourists. The bakery offers daily baked breads as well as salads, soups and sandwiches featuring ingredients from the local Arizona Street farmers market. Restaurateur Hans Röckenwagner is also an expert carpenter that builds many of his restaurants wood cabinets, shelves and tables from sustainably harvested wood.

Röckenwagner staff performs local zero-emission deliveries on a used bicycle from a local Salvation Army – even the shelf installed on the bicycle was made by the owner from scrap wood. 80% of the produce ingredients used in their menu are purchased by staff on foot at the Farmers Market a few feet away.  All boxes are returned to the Farmers for reuse. They serve a delicious organic Austrian coffee along with USDA certified organic milk and creamers. Sustainable office practices include reusing draft paper, designating a recycling coordinator and stocking office and janitorial paper products containing post-consumer recycled waste. Some paper supplies, such as tissue paper, are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified –  verifying that the paper pulp comes from sustainably managed forests.

^top

RMC Water & Environment
2400 Broadway Blvd. Suite 300. Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.566.6460
www.rmcwater.com

RMC Water & Environment, a civil engineering consulting firm that specializes in planning and design of water resources projects, achieved Green Business Certification on March 8 2007. Highlights of their green business practices include energy savings, energy efficient rated office equipment, environmentally and socially responsible office purchasing.

RMC makes great strides in socially responsibility by purchasing all office items via ‘Give Something Back’ program, including ‘Green Seal’ certified 100% recycled, chlorine-free paper. They reduced their energy use by engaging simple power management options available on most office equipment. After setting all computers and copy machines to energy saving default after 5 minutes of inactivity, their monthly energy bill was cut by more than 40%. Light motion sensors are also installed office-wide. They track their energy usage by posting monthly kWh hours used in the office to raise employee awareness. Their most impressive piece of office equipment is a copier/ printer made by Gestetner that uses a soy-based ink toner cartridge.

^top

Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce (office)
1234 6th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.smchamber.com

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce advocates and represents business' interests and issues affecting the community. They provide an environment to help Chamber members prosper and succeed through a proactive working partnership with all levels of government and community organizations to achieve a healthy local economy and quality of life. As an active partner of Santa Monica’s Green Business Certification Program, the Santa Monica Chamber hosts a monthly Environmental Affairs Committee meeting that coordinates an annual Sustainable Quality Award event, and they recognize Green Certified Chamber members in their annual Business Guide publication.

The Santa Monica Chamber walks the green talk in their own office by reusing materials left over from various events.  The staff kitchen is stocked with durable kitchenware like silverware, mugs and plates. Paper products such as printing paper, napkins, business cards and letterhead contain post-consumer recycled waste. They stock organic coffee and compost the used grounds in employee gardens. In line with their commitment to support local economy, they procure services and items exclusively from local businesses including hotels, restaurants and Farmers Markets. Their office demonstrates indoor and outdoor water saving practices - artificial turf along the front sidewalk eliminates landscape maintenance and lowers water bills, and an atmospheric water generator in conference room provides ample purified drinking water during committee meetings. The Chamber office is also located near major Big Blue Bus routes.

^top

Santa Monica Pizza Kitchen  (Restaurant)
1318 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA  90403
310.393.4554
www.santamonicapizzakitchen.com

Santa Monica Pizza Kitchen is a family owned and operated pizzeria serving the Santa Monica community from its original location since 1983. Their website homepage states “We care about the health of our planet and we know every little bit helps, so we’re doing our part.”  They are one of the handful of pizzeria joints in Santa Monica participating in the Food Waste Composting program. When taking in account the food waste composting, and their comprehensive recycling program, they divert approximately 80% of waste from ending up in landfill.  This family owned pizzeria goes above and beyond by serving to-go salads in 100% post-consumer bottle box containers – made from recycled PET plastic bottles. What a way to close the recycling loop!

They expand reduce and reuse practices by stocking reusable silverware and ceramic plates for in-house dining customers. They refill condiment dispensers such as salt, pepper, parmesan, and chili flakes – instead of waste-creating individual to-go packets.  Seasonal foods, such as tomatoes and basil, are sourced from local farmers markets. Employees have their own reusable cup each individually labeled with their names. Most paper products like office paper and napkins are printed on minimum 30% post-consumer content paper. They inform suppliers of their eco-friendly procurement choices to ensure the products are regularly stocked. Hand faucets are fitted with high-efficiency aerators allowing water to emit a reduced rate of 1.5 gallons per minute. Indeed, Santa Monica Pizza Kitchen is indeed doing their part to contribute to a sustainable community.

^top

Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica 
530 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.sheratonsantamonica.com

Boasting elegantly designed interiors by Kelly Wearstler and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Sheraton Delfina unites luxury and sustainability. The Sheraton rewards guests who actively conserve resources during their stay via the Viceroy Hotel Group’s Second Nature Program.  Visitors driving hybrid cars enjoy a $10 discount off valet charges. In line with Santa Monica Transportation Management Ordinances, bicycle rentals are available and $35 credit applies to a guest stay when transported by hybrid vehicle or mass transit.
 
Water stations located in Sheraton 24-hour fitness centers are refilled by filtration systems onsite. Equipment like refrigerators are air cooled (instead of water cooled) reducing both water and energy use.  The advanced PH conductivity controller installed in the cooling tower also recycles water.  This luxury hotel is the first on the west coast to pioneer the FDA approved electrolyzed water cleaning system eliminating toxins and plastic waste. The multi-purpose cleaning solution, made from electrolyzed tap water and salt, is refilled into dispensers by custodial staff facility-wide. The Sheraton’s comprehensive recycling programs range from co-mingled collection for mixed paper, cans, plastic, and glass to pre-consumer food waste composting via the City’s Restaurant Food Waste program. Sustainable procurement includes recycled content janitorial products such as Ecologo certified Royal’s Paper Earthfirst tissue paper containing 80% post-consumer content. The Sheraton commits to serving cage-free eggs and when feasible, Executive Chef Tony Sasaki shops for organic produce at local Farmers Markets. The Sheraton commits to further reducing its ecological footprint by their next re-certification period in 2014!

^top

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
at Santa Monica College (office)
3400 Airport Ave, Suite 76
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.smcsbdc.org
Contact: sedlic_steven@smc.edu
 
Part of a 38 center network throughout California, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Santa Monica College offers  free one-one-one counseling services and low cost workshops to  existing  small business owners as well as individuals thinking about starting their own business. Their mission is to provide quality management and technical assistance for small businesses, resulting in success for the entrepreneur and economic growth for all Californians.
 
The SBDC office handbook integrates a General Environmental Policy and Environmental Purchasing Policy so their commitment to operating a sustainable office is in writing. Upon hire each employee is informed and educated about the SBDC’s green business practices.  In house, they order from Staples’ Sustainable Earth line of eco-conscious office products including 100% post-consumer printing paper, remanufactured printer cartridges, and less toxic cleaners.  The SBDC staff scans and emails documents, and uses electronic forms and contracts wherever possible to minimize paper consumption. Due to the SBDC’s Green Business Certification requirements, water faucets in their public restrooms now emit 0.5 gallons per minute– reducing water use by over 75%. As a partner of Santa Monica’s Green Business Certification Program, the SBDC promotes the integration of environmentally-friendly business operations to their clients as well by offering green business services and counseling to entrepreneurs.

^top

TCBY/ Starbucks
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.CollegeFoodService.com

Contact: Mike Eghbali, Owner
Tel: 310.452.4761

TCBY is the first food establishment at Santa Monica College to achieve Green Business Certification. Owner, Mike Eghbali, proudly displays his Green Business Certificate on the wall adjacent to the cashier counter so students waiting in line to order can read about his accomplishments in running an environmentally-friendly business on campus.

Not only are coffee beans fair-trade certified, but used coffee grounds are collected and then composted in the College’s industrial vermi-composter. The composting system uses a specific breed of worms called “red worms” or “vermi-worms” to transform food waste into a nutrient rich compost which is then used to fertilize the campus grounds.
For many years, TCBY has been stocking reusable travel mugs personalized with each employee’s name. In the administrative offices, printing cartridges are refilled with ink purchased from the supplier – this means cartridges are used over and over and again, instead of disposed of each time they run empty. This measure not only saves money, but also saves valuable resources like energy, water and petroleum used to produce the plastic required for the cartridge. TCBY also serves pre-packed organic sandwiches from “Organic To Go”. They purchase recycled paper napkins and printing paper contains 30% post-consumer content recycled material. Of course all to-go containers are recyclable or compostable in compliance with the City of Santa Monica’s Non-Recyclable Food Service Container Ban.

^top

Business.com
2120 Colorado Ave, 3rd Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.business.com

Business.com is the leading business search engine, directory and pay-per-click advertising network, targeting over 40 million online business buyers. Business.com pioneered an employee ‘Green Team’ in 2006, consisting of roughly a dozen employees with a mission to introduce and sustain efficient business operations and obtain Green Business Certification (GBC).  While working through the GBC checklist, the Green Team facilitated a dialogue with their property manager, Equity Office, who replaced incandescent lights with compact fluorescents, installed motion sensors in conference rooms and trained custodian staff to turn lights off.  The Business.com Green Team helped the company move toward purchasing Energy Star-rated office equipment, created bound Scratch Pads made from discarded paper, and installed an in-house water filtration system to replace bottled water delivery service – cutting water costs by more than 50%.  Business.com demonstrates excellent environment and social responsibility by making weekly donations of food leftover from company-provided lunches to the Santa Monica West Side Food Bank and donating staff and company magazines to St. Johns Health Center for patient waiting rooms.

^top

Heal the Bay Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (Office)
1600 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA  90401
www.healthebay.org

Heal the Bay Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a non-profit organization that provides an innovative educational experience for school children, families and anyone interested in marine life.  Their sustainability commitment goes above and beyond the healing the ocean. ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ highlights include: staff and volunteers bring in reusable mugs, and hand out materials are laminated and loaned to visitors.  They also have a battery collection tube to encourage diversion of hazardous waste to landfill. To reduce junk mail, they sign up with www.catalogchoice.org – to stop receiving unwanted catalogues.

The Pier Aquarium has a non-toxic, chlorine-free and triclosan-free cleaning chemical policy to protect the surrounding marine life – so disinfectant cleaners contain peroxide and hand sanitizers are alcohol based. Aquarium pump and refrigeration units were replaced with newer, more efficient models resulting in substantial energy savings. Timers are installed on public restrooms lights. The organization implements excellent Transportation Management practices by paying for employee bus passes and provides secure bicycle parking for staff and volunteers.  Green building materials such as recycled acrylic and plastic epoxy flooring materials, recycled content carpet tiles, and refurbished office furniture were incorporated in recent aquarium renovations.  The façade on aquarium tanks are also made from recycled milk jugs!

^top

The Bey’s Garden is committed to environmentally responsible business practices in all aspects of the spa. They implement excellent environmental stewardship in their purchasing habits ranging from stocking bamboo towels and robes, post-consumer content recycled paper and floor carpeting, as well as sheets made from recycled polyester microfiber (plastic bottles) which are unbelievably soft to the touch! The Bey's Garden uses natural antiseptics, organic essential oils and also carry a line of non-toxic polish for nail care. Recycled lumber and zero VOC paint were integrated during building renovations.  Gift boxes come with recycled tissue paper and are enclosed with a note reminding customers to reuse and / or recycle the materials.

^top

Hartnell
1515 4 th Street
Santa Monica , CA 90401
310.393.6587
www.hannahartnell.com

Hartnell is a design studio/ salon specializing in elegant bridal and evening gowns with an environmental edge in business operations. Regular incandescent light fixtures have been replaced with energy efficient bulbs. Skylights allow in ample natural daylight for working. Left over fabrics from high end gowns are reused in many ways; either sewn into quilts to raise monies for charity, donated to local fashion design schools or collected by local organization, reDiscover, to reuse in classrooms and programs. Large fabric rolls are also collected by the supplier for reuse. Hanna also boasts many cost savings from these actions including saving her property manager hundreds of dollars per month by replacing one of the trash dumpsters behind her building with a recycling dumpster. She then had her staff hand deliver City blue bins to each tenant in the building to encourage them to start recycling too. And it didn't' stop there. Hanna posted signs on the recycle dumpster with a list of all the various materials acceptable for the city's co-mingled recycling program. Now that's going green with style!

^top

Rustic Canyon
1119 Wilshire, Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.393.7050
www.rusticcanyonwinebar.com

The Rustic Canyon achieved Green Business Certification on July 11, 2007. Highlights of their green business practices include incorporating green building materials upon renovating, purchasing mainly local farmer's market organic produce and diverting 90% of waste from landfill via Reusing and Recycling programs.

Rustic Canyon 's commitment to Sustainability began with renovating the restaurant space in 2006 using eco-friendly materials such as low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and sustainable bamboo flooring, followed by the installation of a water-free urinal. Their commitment to protecting the natural environment extends to local organic produce from Farmers Markets and only biodegradable to-go containers made from corn-based plastics and unbleached paper. Rustic Canyon minimizes waste output by reusing crates for delivering Farmer's produce and recycling cans, plastic, glass, cardboard and mixed paper as well as all of their food waste. They successfully attain a 90% waste diversion. Excellent use of natural light via windows in dining area. Many of the staff use alternative transportation methods such as biking or carpooling.

^top

Santa Monica Power Yoga
1410 2nd Street, 1st Floor. Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.9510
www.poweryoga.com

Power Yoga is the first yoga studio in Santa Monica to achieve Green Business Certification as of September 2007. Highlights of their green business practices include promoting alternative transportation, natural ventilation, and environmentally-preferred procurement ranging from recycled office supplies to hemp and organic cotton retail items.

Santa Monica Power Yoga cleans yoga mats with an organic cleaner and uses non-toxic cleaning chemicals. They facilitate a co-mingled recycling program for mixed paper, cans, plastic and glass. The location is naturally ventilated and windows have tinted film to reduce solar heat gain. To promote alternative transportation at their busy downtown Santa Monica location, they recently installed a bicycle rack onsite for staff and members. Sustainable practices also include supporting the local economy by regularly purchasing flowers from Santa Monica Farmers Market and demonstrating social responsibility by offering donation-based yoga classes and massage services.

^top

Beauty and Wisdom
2307 Main Street. Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.396.4300
http://www.euphorialovesrawvolution.com/BeautyWisdom.html

Beauty and Wisdom, selling chemical free and organic radiant beauty and body care products, achieved Green Business Certification in September 2007. Highlights include eco-conscious procurement ranging from office products to retail items, incorporating green building materials and installing a skylight to allow for natural daylight during renovation.

Beauty and Wisdom purchased many green building materials upon renovating the retail space such as no-VOC paint, sustainable cork flooring and formaldehyde-free shelves. Their 'mandala' room features reclaimed furniture and organic/ fair trade cotton pillows. They demonstrate social responsibility by offering this space as a community room for various events. Sustainable office practices include reusing printer cartridges by refilling the ink directly at Walgreens which not only saves money but also reduces the use of packing materials. Only ONE non-toxic, multi-purpose cleaning chemical is used store-wide.

^top

Blackman and Holberton
201 Wilshire Blvd. Suite A6. Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.8898
www.bhmove.com

Blackman and Holberton (B&H) provides relocation planning services for businesses. They were the first moving consultant in Santa Monica to achieve Green Business Certification in 2007. Highlights of their green business practices include excellent Reduce, Reuse and Recycle practices and employees commuting via alternative transportation – two drive hybrids and one staff member walks to work!  B&H moving consultant services insist on utilizing durable recycled content plastic crates instead of cardboard boxes and they require reusable packing materials. Any cleaning associated with moving logistics is performed with less toxic cleaning chemicals.

As a result of Blackman & Holberton passing their Green Business Certification lighting inspection efforts, the entire building received a lighting retrofit replacing inefficient T12 fluorescents lights with T8 electronic ballast alternative and received rebates from Edison’s Energy Management Solutions rebate programs. This retrofit is estimated to cut the building’s overall energy use associated with lighting by over $5,000 dollars annually. T8 lighting is a minimum requirement for all companies to receive Green Business Certification. Blackman & Holberton also recently purchased a new Energy Star® copier/ printer manufactured by Ricoh , one of the leading companies in the environmentally friendly office automation industry.

^top

Co-opportunity
1525 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.coopportunity.com
Contact: Robin Enwright
(310) 451-8902

Co-opportunity is a natural foods grocer providing natural and organic foods to Santa Monica and the surrounding area since 1974. In all areas of its operations, through the products it sells, and in its interactions with the community, Co-opportunity’s policies are guided by the concept of sustainability i.e., environmental stewardship, supporting local economy and social responsibility. They were the first grocery store in the Westside to install a two-kilowatt, photovoltaic solar power system on the roof – back in 1999!

They have a storewide buying policy to obtain organic products whenever possible. They strive to stock produce grown by local California Farmers. During staff trainings and meetings, the Co-op educates employees on current environmental issues such as the Pacific Gyre, commonly referred to as the “Pacific Garbage Patch”). They train their employees on proper recycling procedures, and further outreach to all staff by posting break clear REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE signage detailing acceptable items for recycling. To walk the talk, the employee break room is stocked with reusable kitchenware. Co-op’s waste diversion has increase approximately 40% since educating and training their staff on recycling procedures.

Co-opportunity only stocks non-toxic cleaning products on their shelves, and they use the same cleaners in-house. Their janitorial paper products, such as bathroom tissue and paper towels manufactured by Wausau Paper/ Bay West, are Green Seal certified. During their administrative offices remodel, they installed bamboo flooring.

^top

Euphoria Loves RAWvolution
2301 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.euphorialovesrawvolution.com
Contact: Lisa or Zat
Tel: 310.396.4300
Email:  info@euphoriacompany.com

Euphoria Loves RAWvolution (ELR) is committed to conscious, earth-friendly practices in every aspect of their business. Euphoria’s food waste is collected and either composted to make fertilizer or turned into bio-fuel to run vehicles. Currently, about 95% of all foods purchased at ELR (nothing frozen or microwaved) are USDA certified organic.  By requiring all of their vendors to stock certified organic alternatives and reusable or recyclable shipping materials this small deli shows how small business can grow the market for sustainable products.  All of their to-go containers are biodegradable, meaning they are made from bagasse, recycled paper, corn or potatoes – even their straws! They exclusively use non-toxic cleaning supplies such as peroxide based dish detergent. The few office supplies stocked are made from post-consumer content recycled paper. Only natural ventilation such as cross breezes and fans, are used - no mechanically cooled air! Employees are supplied with organic cotton uniform shirts, offered generous discounts and are encouraged to bring their home water jugs to fill at the café's state-of-the-art custom water filtration system.  ELR helped Santa Monica launch the Certified Green Business program in 2006 by participating as a pilot business. 

^top

Gladstein, Neandross & Associates LLC
3015 Main Street, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-1934
www.gladstein.org

GNA works throughout western USA in efforts to develop and implement transportation and energy strategies with aim to reduce emissions and the use of conventional petroleum fuels . They are pioneers in their industry for encouraging alternative fuel fleets, sustainable development, and renewable energy programs. Eco-friendly purchasing practices include recycled office products, furniture as well as non-toxic cleaners from local 'green' grocers.  Company letterhead paper is also printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.

^top

The Library Alehouse
2911 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-4855
http://libraryalehouse.com/

Library Alehouse has always gone ‘above and beyond compliance’ regarding sustainable business practices since opening the restaurant in 1995. They were early adopters of the City of Santa Monica’s ban on non-recyclable Food Service containers i.e., they stopped using Styrofoam long before the City required them to.

Owner, David Lackman, whole-heartedly demonstrates commitment to running an environmentally sounds businesses by purchasing sustainably certified restaurant equipment and food products throughout. FSC rated wood was sourced for dining tables and chairs. The Alehouse also bottles their own water via Natura Water filtration system, instead of selling water shipped in to Southern California from hundreds to thousands of miles away.

Alehouse recycles their used fryer oil into biodiesel at no cost. They purchase sustainably procured seafood when available. Further efforts include regularly incorporating seasonal, local, organic ingredients throughout their menu and composting kitchen waste- which sometimes even ends up in Dave’s backyard compost pile : )

The Library Alehouse was also a 2001 pilot participant for local non-profit Sustainable Works’ Business Greening Program and Santa Monica’s Green Business Certification program launched in 2006. They won a Sustainable Quality Award Grand prize in 2003. This restaurant is a well known booster of the local retail economy, and further their positive contributions to the community by supporting an organization each month through donation, promotion, and activism.

^top

Patagonia
2936 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-1776
www.patagonia.com

Patagonia, Santa Monica is part of a $250 million international company that designs and distributes outdoor clothing.  Their definition of quality includes working with processes that cause the least harm to the environment, as they rely on the availability of abundant natural landscape in order to sell their clothing. Patagonia not only closes the loop in recycling in-house materials but they also collect worn-out garments from customers and recycle them into polyester (PET) used to make new filament yarns. They also produce a fleece clothing line made from post-consumer recycled plastic soda bottles (PCR).  All of the cotton in their products is 100% organic cotton. Patagonia has awarded over 18 million dollars to various environmental groups via the Environmental Grants Program.

^top

Apogee Electronics Corporation
1715 Berkeley Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.apogeedigital.com

Apogee Electronics, founded in 1985, is a leading manufacturer of digital audio hardware systems and related accessories for audio professionals around the world.  They are breaking new ground– as the only digital audio business in Santa Monica to install solar panels on their roof and achieve Green Business Certification.  Apogee Electronic closes the loop by reducing use of disposables by stocking durable kitchenware for staff use, reusing aluminum and metal parts in hardware systems, comprehensive office recycling programs, and purchasing post-consumer recycled content items ranging from tissue paper to file folders. Instead of purchasing bottled water, staff refills containers from the filtered water tap at the kitchen sink.  Incandescent ceiling flood lights in main computer stations were retrofitted with energy efficient compact fluorescents. Common areas feature efficient T8 and T6 fluorescent fixtures and tubes. Small desk lamps at workstations demonstrate task lighting where additional light is needed. Fair-trade coffee purchased for early and late night shifts.  Staff can store bicycles indoors, and showers are available.

^top

Studio of Environmental Architecture
1920 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.studioea.com

The work of David Hertz Architects Inc, Studio of Environmental Architecture focuses on the design and construction of environmentally responsible residential and commercial buildings, as well as the research and development of resource efficient ecologic building products.  Studio EA’s commitment to integrating sustainable materials, processes and building techniques is demonstrated both in client projects and within their own office.  The company’s proactive approach to promoting green building materials involves displaying product samples incorporated within their space, like recycled denim insulation and solar tubes.  These samples detail the ecological, recycled characteristics where applicable, and manufacturer information.  To further reduce use of finite natural resources such as water, high-efficiency faucet aerators emitting 0.8 gallons per minute, and toilets with a high and low water flush option. Reduction in energy usage also reduces associated GHGs (Green House Gases) emissions.  In Studio EA’s Energy report, the assessor noted they use 40% less than an average office its size. Integrated energy efficient design like dimmable electronic fluorescent fixtures manufactured by Luton®, and occupancy (motion) sensors ensure lights used at minimum and are turned off when not needed.  Green building highlights include a “green” roof with drought tolerant succulent plants and solar panels.  Other sustainable business operations range from recycling some construction and demolition waste locally -via neighboring plumbing supply store- and promoting alternative transportation by storing an electric bicycle onsite for employee use.

^top

Bryan Cave LLP
120 Broadway, Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.bryancave.com

Bryan Cave LLP is a leading business and litigation firm with a long history of success offering legal counsel and advice in virtually every area of interest to business and entrepreneurial clients.

‘Reduce and Reuse’ practices range from replacing kitchen disposables like paper cups and plastic utensils with reusable mugs and silverware, and a used book exchange display coordinated by staff in the main break room. Bryan Cave estimates the cost of purchasing silverware will be recouped within 3 months compared to monies spent on disposable utensil procurement. The firm, world-wide, is also purchasing mugs for over 1,000 employees to further ‘Reduce and Reuse’ efforts company-wide.  Innovative, local and socially responsible sustainable strategies include hosting a 'Green Day Fair' on St Patrick's Day 2009 featuring vendors and local environmental non-profits with aim to educate employees on available and local green resources, and coordinating a recent beach clean-up with Heal the Bay for employees to participate in during paid work hours with a company-provided lunch.  Bryan Cave's sustainable business practices, ranging from adopting the ABA-EPA Law Office climate Challenge to purchasing post-consumer content recycled paper supplies, are outlined in their Sustainability Policy which is included in the company manual.

^top

Kreation Kafe
1023 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
www.kreationkafe.com

Kreation Kafe serves delicious, healthy food in the unique atmosphere of “living walls” comprised of hanging succulents and recovered decking materials. 

After renovating the restaurant space with more efficient fluorescent lights, tank-less water heater, energy efficient refrigeration unit and stove, owner Marjan Sarshar was very pleased to see her energy bill go down 40% ($300-350) –a savings of over $300 or 2,000 kWh per month.   Furthermore, business has increased over 400% compared to previous ownership, and she still sees a savings due to replacing old equipment with Energy Star® or energy efficient alternatives. The restaurant also participates in food scraps composting with the City of Santa Monica.  All dining tables are custom made with reclaimed wood.  Over 90% of the produce purchased at Kreation Kafe is organic and purchased locally from the Santa Monica Farmer's market. They even serve organic ketchup!  Utensil holders are made from recycled tires and their menu is printed with soy-based inks on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper.

^top

Morley Builders
2901 28th St, Santa Monica, CA 
Contact: Jessica Kurland
Tel: 310.399.1600 ext. 264
Email: jkurland@morleybuilders.com

Morley Builders is one of the largest construction and engineering firms in Southern California. Morley Builders constructs many LEED buildings, and recycles up to 92% of the construction and demolition waste generated. They also have a collection container for batteries to ensure safe disposal. They run a green office, including a paperless accounting and payroll system and an eco-friendly procurement policy. They are committed to purchasing 100% post-consumer content printing paper certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council and marketing materials are also printed on FSC certified paper using soy-based inks. They post handy eco-facts on walls in copy room to keep employees motivated and educated on the companies environmental stewardship. Morley Builders is also a pillar of the Santa Monica community, giving thousands of dollars each year to local charitable organizations, and paying for employees to do volunteer work.

^top

Universal Music Group
2220 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Contact: Joy Power
Tel: 310.865.5569
joy.power@umusic.com

The Universal Music (UMG), employing 650 people in their Santa Monica Headquarters office, is the world’s leading music company for recorded music and music publishing.

Universal’s office integrates the use of sustainable building materials including low VOC carpet tiles purchased from Mohawk. Their in-house cafeteria stocks biodegradable to-go containers made from post-consumer content and utensils made from corn.

UMG has an office wide policy for printing on both sides of paper extending to all outsourced printing jobs. In efforts to encourage proper disposal of electronics, Universal sponsors in an E-Cycle Day (Electronic Waste Recycling Round-up) where employees are encouraged to bring in unwanted electronic items such as old monitors, computers and fax machines, which are then dropped off at a California Certified Collection and Recycling facility. The UMG building features water-free urinals and operable windows. Operable windows allow the intake of fresh air and reduces energy use associated with mechanical cooling of the facility. Their advanced automated building management system ensures lights and equipment are off during non-business hours. UMG’s efforts in energy efficiency for their building earned them the ENERGY STAR Label (www.energystar.gov). An ENERGY STAR qualified facility meets strict energy performance standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by using less energy, saving money in operational costs, and causing fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers.

^top

Hershey | Cause
1336 5th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Contact: Barbara Remedios
Tel: 310.656.1001
Email: bremedios@hersheycause.com
www.hersheycause.com

Hershey|Cause is a woman-owned, communications agency offering marketing and consulting services to socially-minded corporate clients and nonprofit groups nationwide. Social innovators, Hershey|Cause is the umbrella identity for Hershey Associates, a full-service for profit marketing consulting agency, and Cause Communications, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding communications best practices through research and education.

Hershey|Cause is committed to exemplifying the change it works to create in the world socially, culturally and environmentally. Environmentally friendly adjustments to office environment and procedures to maximize efficient use of resources resulted in the organization achieving Green Business Certification. Adjustments included: ensuring all individual offices have recycling bins, replacing lighting ballasts to make use of updated energy-efficient lighting, installing high-efficiency toilets in office restrooms, instituting a worksite transportation plan with information on ridesharing and alternate modes of transportation, and encouraging the use of the water-filtration system over bottled water. Hershey|Cause also ensured its HVAC and pest control vendors are promoting and employing environmentally friendly practices.

^top

Healthy Spot
1110 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Contact: Andrew Kim
Tel: 310.458.2004
Email: Andrew@healthyspotla.com
www.healthyspotla.com

Healthy Spot provides preventative and proactive canine care along with eco-friendly products, organic foods and a variety of services ranging from doggie-day care and pet grooming, to providing the latest news and trends in the pet care industry. They are the first pet store in Santa Monica to achieve Green Business Certification. Healthy Spot stocks an remarkable range of environmentally beneficial pet products ranging from USDA certified organic food to non-toxic, organic cotton dog toys and post-consumer content (pcc) recycled crate mats made from plastic bottles. Their commitment as stewards of the environment is further demonstrated by ONLY sell biodegradable doggie bags (bio-bags) and bio-training pads. Notable green building features include solar tubes in restrooms that provide natural sunlight, and a tank-less water heater, that saves energy costs by making hot water available instantaneously for all the doggie baths. But Healthy Spot doesn’t stop there! Social responsibility is one of the pillars in operating a sustainable business – and Healthy spot validates this practice by collecting old pet crates and blankets from customers to facilitate donations to shelters via a local charity called Operation Blankets of Love.

^top

Copia Creative, Inc. 
3122 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 203
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.copiacreative.com

Contact: Michelle Adelson/Anique Oudshoorn
Tel: 310.826.7422
Email: anique@copiacreative.com

Copia Creative is an award-winning strategic branding and creative agency that partners with our clients as their extended marketing team.  Combining both consulting and creative practices, Copia focuses on developing and implementing a consistent and creative brand experience across touch points to align with business goals and strategy.  The office fosters sustainable ideas and innovative adaptations.  As a creative agency, Copia encourages their clients on how to integrate green practices from brand strategies, including partnerships with related environmental causes to execution, such as eco-minded print materials with vegetable-based inks and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper.  The agency has developed a specialized eco-conscious focus including a website, bulletin board, and newsletters called CopiaGreen that includes a CopiaGreen email address for staff ideas and suggestions to discuss and plan in regular staff meetings.  Eco-minded materials such as articles and relevant resources are available for employee reference.  Copia's policies reflect their sustainability commitment, including many forms of recycling, alterative transportation to the office, and managing electricity use.  Copia is also developing partnerships with other eco-friendly businesses to help align their green practices with their brand.  The Copia team and culture has become passionate, dedicated, and excited to being green and advocating sustainable practices based on the level of education, involvement, communication, and collaboration.

^top

Threshold Media Corporation
2114 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.thresholdsound.com
Contact: Michele Blankenship/ Marc Schrobilgen
Tel.: 310.571.0500
Email: Micheleb@thresholdsound.com

Threshold Sound + Vision is a recording studio and video post-production facility. They incorporated energy efficient design into the remodeling of their studio, including solar tubes, compact fluorescent lighting retrofits, and retrofitting their Torchiere floor lamps with fluorescent bulbs - reducing energy consumption by 50%!  Threshold purchases many eco-friendly cleaning products from companies such as Method and Seventh Generation and they stock a soy-based graffiti remover. Threshold Company letterhead and business cards are printed on post-consumer content recycled paper.  Kitchen is stocked with reusable plates, mugs and silverware and napkins are made from post-consumer content recycled paper procured from local supply stores. Threshold’s recycling programs extends to digital Beta tapes and CDs. They also donate unwanted electronic equipment to California Recycles (www.californiarecycles.com).

^top

Watt Companies
2716 Ocean Park Blvd
Suite 2025
Santa Monica, CA 
www.wattcompanies.com
Contact:  Alex Reed
Tel: 310.450.3802
Email:  areed@wattcompanies.com

From commercial development to homebuilding, Watt Companies offers comprehensive and diversified real estate services across the United States.  Watt Companies incorporates environmental stewardship both in-house in their operations as well as tenant properties. Their Los Angeles office, Watt Plaza, is the first office building in Los Angles to receive gold LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance certification.

Watt Companies demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainability by supporting an active employee driven “Green Team’. The Green Team facilitates green operations and programs in-house including an Earth Day Raffle eligible only for employees demonstrating sustainable practices at work.  Practices ranged from staff bringing in reusable mugs, plates or utensils, to alternative commuting such as carpooling, taking the bus, biking, or walking. The Green Team used monies gained from recycling programs to purchase some of the raffle prize giveaways. On Earth Day, they invited local sustainable vendors ranging from green office supplies to local environmental non-profits to educate and provide resources for tenants and employees.

Watt Companies goes above and beyond compliance with tenant and in-house renovations by using low VOC paints which help cultivate good indoor air quality. Green Seal Certified chemicals, purchased in bulk concentrated form and refilled in dispensers, are used facility wide.

^top

World Café
2820 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.worldcafela.com

The World Cafe holds its location on Main Street since 1984 and offers a choice of indoor dining or al fresco on a relaxing garden patio with a mulched landscape to retain moisture and help prevent water runoff.  Lighting is subdued or sun-kissed by natural lighting pouring in via skylights. By composting kitchen food waste, cans, plastic, glass, mixed paper and cardboard via City’s program they divert over 70% of trash from local landfills.  All to-go containers are either compostable (paper or corn plastics) or recyclable. Their cleaning chemicals are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for Environmental label (DfE). DfE commends companies for their leadership in designing products that are good for their business and for the environment. www.epa.gov/dfe.  World Café is also conveniently located near bus stops accessible via Big Blue Bus or LA Metro lines.

^top