In 2023, the Culver City Sustainable Business Certification Program celebrated its 5th anniversary by certifying 12 Culver City businesses, acknowledging the best management practices they implemented and the sustainable policies they adopted.
A virtual awards ceremony to recognize these businesses was held on September 12, 2023 at West & Co Restaurant located inside the Hilton Hotel. Culver City Mayor Albert Vera hosted the event and was joined by Council Member Freddy Puza, who sits on the City Council’s Sustainability Subcommittee.
2023 Sustainable Business Certification Awards Event, Justin Han Photography
Businesses (7) Achieving Innovator Certification
Empowered Yoga Studio
Envoy Technologies, Inc (recertified in 2023)
Letter Four, Inc
NRG Marketing
Poon Design, Inc (recertified in 2023)
ReKon Productions (recertified in 2023)
Treehouse Design Partnership
Businesses (5) Achieving Certification
Akasha (recertified in 2023)
All That & MORE Boutique
Marina Martial Arts (recertified in 2023)
Röckenwagner Bakery Café (recertified in 2023)
TruLove Post
“The Culver City Sustainable Business Certification Program is helping our community reduce its carbon and ecological footprints and improve the wellbeing of their employees and customers. It was an honor to deliver the Commendations to businesses who demonstrate sustainability stewardship,”
Culver City Mayor Albert Vera at 2023 Sustainable Certified Business Award Recognition Ceremony on 09/12/2023
Program Impact
Collectively these 12 businesses annually:
- Save 1,928 kWh of energy,
- Save 123,487 gallons of water, enough to fill 11 backyard swimming pools,
- Divert 2,607 lbs of waste from the landfill, equivalent to 175 bags of food scraps composted, and
- Avoid 1,287 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), equivalent to planting 30 trees and eliminating 2,500 miles driven by an average gas-powered car.
Through a CalEPA grant received by the California Green Business Network, this year’s certified businesses received rebates totaling $7,500 to cover costs associated with implementing the measures necessary to become certified and some of the businesses received free water fixture retrofits through a program with Golden State Water.
Within the first five years of the program, Culver City has already issued a total of 77 business certifications and has 59 currently certified businesses. Collectively these businesses annually:
- Save 4.7 million gallons of water,
- Save 344,000 kWh of energy and an estimated $90,000 in utility costs,
- Divert 8,600 pounds of waste from landfills, and
- Avoid 543,660 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Non-profit Sustainable Works and local consulting firm Balanced Approach developed and currently administer the Sustainable Business Certification Program for Culver City, which targets businesses in the retail, office, restaurant, grocery, school, lodging and theater sectors. The two-tier Certification Program includes a “Certified” and a “Certified Innovator” level.
- Certified businesses must complete a minimum number of measures in the areas of water use, energy conservation, clean energy, waste reduction, pollution prevention, and sustainable transportation.
- Certified Innovators are exemplary businesses that, in addition to meeting the “Certified’ criteria, provide their employees with living wages, benefits, and demonstrate innovative practices in environmental preservation and community engagement.
Certification at both levels is valid for three years. Certified businesses receive City Council commendations, a framed certificate, and digital “certified” logos to proudly market and set themselves apart to customers as companies that prioritize running a sustainable operation.
Learn more about the Sustainable Certified Business Award program and how to apply.
Five years ago, Akasha was one of the City’s first ever certified businesses. Akasha Richmond and Alan Schulman opened Akasha in 2008 and their menu features New American cuisine created with cultural influences inspired by Chef Akasha’s travels around the world.
Re-Certified
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing waste and pollution by phasing out plastic straws, to-go containers, and utensils and replacing them with marine degradable, fiber-based alternatives such as paper and bamboo
- Saving water by retrofitted faucets, toilets, and urinals
- Reducing pollution by using third-party-certified green cleaning supplies
- Reducing energy use by switching to 100% renewable energy via Green Power Alliance and installing UV-blocking window film to reduce solar heat gain in dining area
Mayor Albert Vera with Akasha, Justin Han Photography
All That & MORE Boutique offers a celebrity experience to the everyday person who wants to enhance their personal style. This women’s boutique features “comfy, classy, casual, and edgy” apparel with accessory items on consignment by designers. Each client receives a personal styling assessment from owner Candance Simmons, who specializes in helping women make life’s transitions with confidence. All That & MORE Boutique is a Black Owned Business.
Certified
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing waste by providing client discounts for returning their branded reusable shopping bags, made from recyclable materials
- Saving 300 gallons of water annually with retrofitted restroom faucet
- Reducing waste by using reusable dishware and utensils for in-store events
- Showcasing sustainable practices through social media
Mayor Albert Vera with All That & More Boutique, Justin Han Photography
Empowered Yoga Studio is an inclusive yoga studio, where everyone feels safe and welcome, regardless of age or fitness level, and celebrates community by “elevating each other to be the greatest versions of ourselves.” Empowered is a BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and employee-owned business.
Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Saving over 1,600 gallons of water per year after replacing their existing showerheads with high efficiency alternatives
- Reducing energy use with natural daylighting
- Offsetting environmental footprint with carbon credits
- Reducing waste by offering branded reusable metal water bottles
Envoy Technologies, Inc is a community-based electric car sharing service that provides electric vehicles as an on-site amenity to apartments, hotels, and workplaces that are reserved through Envoy’s own car sharing phone app.
Re-Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing air pollution by supplying electric vehicles to the publicSupporting low-income communities by providing electric vehicles at affordable housing complexes
- Reducing air pollution by providing employees with a transportation allowance, carpooling incentives, and access to shared electric vehicles, e-bikes, and e-scooters
- Reducing energy use by insulating hot water pipes and installing LED lighting
- Reducing waste by eliminating single-use plastic water bottles in their office
Mayor Albert Vera with Envoy Technologies, Justin Han Photography
Letter Four, Inc is a full-service design-build firm, offering turnkey service to clients seeking a clear, collaborative, and deeply personalized building experience for residential and commercial properties.
Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing energy use by installing stylish energy-efficient lighting throughout the office, as well as lighting timers, motion sensors, and ample daylighting
- Reducing waste by sourcing second-hand water-wise designer restroom sinks
- Reducing air pollution by providing electric vehicle charging station for clients and staff
- Reducing energy use by installing on-demand electric water heaters
Mayor Albert Vera with Four Letter, Inc, Justin Han Photography
Marina Martial Arts is a martial arts school dedicated to helping individuals find their 'True Strength' for over ten years. The studio features programs for all ages and levels of experience, focusing on fitness, self-defense, character development and life skills. Their caring staff embody traditional martial arts values such as respect, discipline, and commitment, and they deploy progressive and innovative methods to ensure their students succeed in life.
Re-Certified
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing waste by offering reusable bottles and water stations for student use
- Reducing pollution by eliminating toxic cleaning chemicals
- Reducing energy use by replacing all remaining fluorescent lighting fixtures with LED lights and retrofitting storefront signage
- Saving 756 gallons of water annually by installing high efficiency shower heads Educating students by engaging them in waste reduction efforts
Mayor Albert Vera with Marina Martial Arts, Justin Han Photography
NRG Marketing provides event production services, builds brand loyalty through community engagement, and designs and programs spaces to deliver one-of-a-kind memorable brand moments.
Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing air pollution by switching from natural gas to electric water heaters, which are powered by 100% green energy from the Clean Power Alliance
- Reducing traffic and air pollution by providing staff with bicycle for errands
- Reducing waste by providing green seal certified and tree-free janitorial paper products
- Saving 460 gallons of water annually by retrofitting restroom faucets
Poon Design, Inc is a LEED-accredited, multi-disciplinary practice that offers architectural and interior design services. Their award-winning design skills serve national and international clients, having completed and built over 300 projects. Poon Design is a BIPOC owned business.
Re-Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Completing a detailed Carbon Footprint Calculation to determine annual carbon emissions, then began paying Terrapass annually, which in turn funds verified carbon offset projects, to offset their 3 tons of carbon emissions
- Reducing energy use by installing motion sensor lights in their conference room and restroom
- Reducing waste by exclusively purchasing paper supplies containing post-consumer recycled content
Mayor Albert Vera with Poon Design, Inc, Justin Han Photography
ReKon Productions is an Emmy Award-winning production company specializing in digital content, web series, feature films, commercials, and music videos. ReKon co-chaired the Green Committee of the Producers Guild of America and during their tenure, they trained members and producers about the sustainability practices contained in the Guild’s Green Production Guide.
Re-Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing energy use by sourcing Energy Star and EPEAT-certified office equipment and computers
- Reducing energy use by installing an on-demand electric water heater
- Diverting landfill waste with robust recycling and composting systems
- Saving over 6,500 gallons of water annually by installing high efficiency aerators in the restrooms
Mayor Albert Vera with ReKon Productions, Justin Han Photography
Röckenwagner Bakery Café was founded in 2015 by Hans Röckenwagner. They are a local favorite, serving their trademark baked goods and a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and brunch in a friendly and familiar setting. They also donate extra food to a transitional housing shelter. Röckenwagner Bakery is a BIPOC-owned business.
Re-Certified
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing energy use by replacing one of their natural gas burners with an electric induction burner
- Diverting waste and reducing pollution by recycling waste oil and grease for biodiesel production
- Saving over 1,000 gallons of water annually by retrofitting kitchen faucets
Treehouse Design Partnership is a multi-disciplinary design firm with decades of expertise in the practice of environmental graphic design, brand development, interiors, publications, and product design. Treehouse takes a holistic approach to addressing their client’s needs and has operated in Culver City for over 20 years.
Certified Innovator
Sustainability achievements include:
- Diverting landfill waste by composting food scraps and green waste
- Reducing pollution by using green cleaning supplies
- Reducing waste by using post-consumer recycled products
- Saving 6,000 gallons annually after upgrading faucets and toilets office-wide
- Educating other building tenants on sustainable practices
TruLove Post is a post-production house run by a collective community of talented editors, sound mixers, musicians, and producers. Staying true to the importance of giving back is an essential component of their business model. They achieve this goal by donating a portion of each project to different charities and donating their services to various causes. TruLove Post is a Certified Minority-Owned Business.
Certified
Sustainability achievements include:
- Reducing pollution and indoor air quality by replacing conventional cleaning products with green cleaning alternatives and training their janitorial staff about green cleaning methods
- Reducing waste by initiating a zero-waste program, including composting and recycling maintained by trained staff
- Reducing waste by installing sparkling and filtered water dispensers to minimize disposable bottles and providing a single-cup coffee/espresso machine
Mayor Albert Vera with TruLove Post, Justin Han Photography