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By Lookout Staff

April 14 -- The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the Lobster Restaurant -- two businesses that have helped spearhead the city’s sustainable movement -- were Green Business Certified this month.

The Lobster restaurant at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier features a new, highly visible solar installation project, while the chamber engages in numerous green practices and partners with local, environmental non-profits such as Heal the Bay and Sustainable Works for many Chamber events.

“I look forward to continuing to spread the green word as president of the Santa Monica Chamber, whose innovative partnership with the City on green business initiatives showcases our community’s priority to create a sustainable economy for our future,” Chamber President and CEO Laurel Rosen said in a statement released Friday.

A founding partner of the Green Business Certification program, the chamber installed artificial turf along the front sidewalk of its headquarters that saves costs on landscape maintenance and lowers water bills.

The office staff recycles mixed paper, cans, plastic and glass and print cartridges and has a public collection box for batteries and cell phones. The chamber also stocks non-toxic, biodegradable multi-purpose cleaners, dish soap and organic hand soap.

The Lobster, which features classic American Seafood that is sustainably certified wild caught or farm raised, recently installed a 9KW solar panel system under Solar Santa Monica’s program (www.solarsantamonica.com).

The restaurant also uses high efficiency motion sensor sinks in its public restrooms, natural sunlight in the dining area and LED spotlights in the bar area.

The restaurant also obtains Metro bus passes in bulk so staff can purchase them at a discount. The Lobster also distributes local Big Blue Bus route information to its customers and employees upon request.

The chamber will host its annual Sustainable Quality Award luncheon ceremony honoring local businesses for their green efforts on May 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Delfina.