The 2011 Sustainable Quality Award Winners
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Brian Chase, SMCC, Director of Government Affairs |
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In collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and
Sustainable Works, this program is at the heart of fulfilling
our responsibility to the future while appropriately recognizing
those who are actually doing something to assure it. |
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Thank you for Supporting the 2011 Sustainable Quality Awards! Our team of
sponsors, speakers,
exhibitors, and volunteers is
what makes this annual event
such an Inspiration for the
Santa Monica community.
Through your diligent efforts,
our Chamber and City have
positively impacted hundreds
of satisfied individuals ...
and thousands more through
print and television media!
With an eye toward social and
environmental responsibility,
we have truly spotlighted the
tools and Ideas needed to
build an environmentally and
economically sustainable
future.
The Sustainable Quality Awards Program was created and
implemented to recognize businesses and organizations which
implement sustainable practices in the natural and built
environments, social responsibility and economic development.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Describe Efforts that Demonstrate Your Organization’s Commitment to the Long-term Economic Sustainability of its Operations and to Sustaining the Local and Regional Economy
Businesses that provide products and services are aware that customer needs change over time. A sustainable organization is able to accommodate these changing needs, maintain economic viability and encourage sustainable economic development by balancing profits with a consideration for long-term development. Your response should include your company’s quality policy, your process for evaluating product and service performance, and your efforts for improvement. Your response should also encompass your company’s contribution to the development of the local economy (creation of jobs and business opportunities), and/or company efforts to increase efficiency and reduce costs in operations.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Describe Efforts that Demonstrate Your Organization’s Commitment to Sustain Human Resources
Sustainable businesses recognize that the long-term viability of a business is dependent on the quality of jobs and the personal and professional development of the people who make up the community. Good business citizenship also necessitates the continuing involvement with and support of activities that contribute to the quality of life in the community. Your response should include your efforts to facilitate communications within your organization to improve employee relations and increase opportunities for employees to participate in the development of the organization. Family-friendly and work-life-balance policies and programs should also be presented along with employment practices that encourage skill development and career advancement. Programs that encourage employee volunteerism in the community and that support charitable organizations should also be described.
STEWARDSHIP OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Describe the Efforts that Demonstrate Your Company’s Commitment to Sustaining the Natural Environment
A healthy environment is essential to ensure the long-term economic viability of a business and community. Pollution and overuse of resources can impact everything from the availability of raw materials for manufacturing, to the number of tourists that visit your community and support the local economy. Your response should not only include efforts you have taken to comply with environmental regulations, but also voluntary measures to address waste reduction, pollution prevention and resource conservation. Examples of these measures may include company wide purchasing policies specifying recycled content products, or products with minimal packaging; operations changes that eliminate the use of toxic chemicals or reduce waste generation, or the implementation of an energy-efficiency, water conservation or recycling program.