By Lookout Staff

May 7, 2010 --Local businesses and organizations with sustainable practices were recognized on Wednesday at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Award Luncheon. The event took place at the Sheraton Delfina, and was hosted by the City, Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Sustainable Works.

Receiving the Grand Prize were Co-opportunity market and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment prize went to Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier, Unitarian Universalist Community Church, West LA Print and Sheraton Delfina.

The Sheraton hotel, West LA Print and the Unitarian church also were recognized for Excellence in Social

Responsibility. This award also went to Gensler and LivingHomes. An Excellence in Sustainable Economic Development recognition went to Fair Cleaners.

The Sustainability Quality Awards were created to recognize businesses in the Santa Monica area that are successfully incorporating sustainable practices into their operation.

A passage on the web site for the awards states, “By recognizing these achievements, this awards program educates and inspires other businesses to adopt their own sustainable practices, thus helping Santa Monica become a model sustainable community, providing its residents and visitors with a healthy economy and environment.”