LOEWS SANTA MONICA BEACH HOTEL SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES

With increased environmental awareness, the world is demanding higher efficiency in use with energy, water and waste. Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel cares for the environment and those that inhabit it.

We have played a special part in the history of the beautiful beachfront city of Santa Monica, and we have a commitment to maintaining the city’s sustainability plan. New standards have recently been introduced within the Loews brand which furthers our commitment to the environment through recycling programs, waste reduction and environmental stewardship.

We have recently been awarded a SUSTAINABLE QUALITY AWARD from the City of Santa Monica’s Environmental Services Division and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce for our excellence in environmental stewardship.

STEWARDSHIP OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

  • We have formed a “green team” which consists of ten managers from each department in the hotel, each month we meet to review new practices, trends and ideas for how we can be more “green”
  • We send proposals and hotel information via-email whenever possible to clients and meeting planners as well as internal staff
  • We are separating our food waste to compost
  • We are in compliance with the City of Santa Monica’s ban on plastic disposable containers and have switched to a more eco friendly container for all to go cups and containers

Reducing or eliminating the use of toxic chemicals

  • We use only low VOC (Volatile organic compound) paint and spirits for our paint supplies.
  • We separate all of our food waste

Reduction of solid waste by reducing use of materials and/or by recycling

  • We recycle Glass, cardboard, batteries, florescent light bulbs (that contain harmful gas), and all metal (copper, brass, steel, etc). This minimizes the load in local landfills.
  • We donate excess food to Meals on Wheels and local charities
  • We are active participants in an "E-cycling" program that turns all of our electronic waste into viable alternative energy solutions. Every time we change a monitor, a mouse, computer or a television (anything that is classified as electronics), it gets set aside for the e-cyclers to come pick up

Conserving water and/or energy by reducing use, installing efficient equipment

  • We utilize all florescent bulbs where applicable (guestrooms, public space, meeting rooms) to minimize electricity consumption. for example, a 13 watt florescent gives the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent bulb.
  • We use low temperature soap in the washing machines in laundry so we do not need to waste gas and steam raising the water temperature too high
  • Our new guest internet system uses the pre-existing wiring to power all the new jacks in the room, as well as the new wireless access, eliminating the need for two more separate power supplies

Exceeding standards for environmental regulatory compliance

  • We offer our guests the option of re-using their towels during their stay
  • We turn off meeting room lights when the rooms are not in use
  • We use photocells to turn on/off our exterior lights.

Procurement policies that favor purchasing eco-friendly products and services

  • We have switched to a new dry cleaning service that utilizes green practices with dry cleaning and will stop using plastic bags for guest laundry

We offer incentives for employees who utilize carpooling and public transportation- Ride Share Program and Bus Pass Reimbursement

Company support of environmental restoration projects and environmental organizations

  • We have added drought tolerant plants to all outdoor areas of the hotel
  • We are working with GESS ENVIRONMENTAL and have added brown compost bins to our waste management system in the hotel in addition to our regular recycling of plastic, cardboard and paper
  • We regularly volunteer for Heal The Bay to clean up the beach area in front of our hotel
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  • We utilize the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market as well as local produce companies for the majority of the produce in the hotel. We also purchase from Santa Monica seafood and local vendors whenever possible.
  • We hire students from local colleges and high schools whenever necessary
  • We are constantly updating our services with continual training for our employees
  • We provide our guests with a vibrant, uniquely local and supremely comfortable experience. Our prices are in line with the current marketplace for luxury hotels within our community
  • We are continually training our employees and updating our resources to increase productivity.
  • We are increasing productivity by providing constant training and resources
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • In accordance with the law and industry we offer benefits that exceed the minimum standards. In addition we offer employee discounts for local attractions and offer an incentive program for bikers, carpool and use of public transportation.
  • Programs that recognize contemporary family structures such as flex time and family leave
  • In accordance with the law, we do not discriminate
  • We offer open forums and opportunities for employees to express concerns and meet with their direct supervisors and upper management.
  • Programs to encourage employee input and feedback
  • Employees are the heart of Loews Hotels, they are encouraged to voice concerns or express ideas for updating our services.
  • We have an Manager of The Quarter as well as Team Member of The Month Program
  • Managers are given “Star cards” to distribute to their team for exceeding their normal job duties or for exceeding guest expectations. Team members are also encouraged to nominate another member of the team who helped them be successful with their endeavor. Each week, we draw two winners who can win up to $250 in prizes, even if they don’t win, team members can turn in their star cards for prizes like movie tickets
  • Each week, our managers submit stories of team members who have helped provide an “And More” experience for a guest, these stories are distributed to everyone in the company
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

By focusing on several areas of social concern ranging from protecting the environment to aiding the homeless, to hunger relief, our company’s Good Neighbor Policy is designed to lend support to the communities where Loews owns and manages its hotels. In 2007, Loews Hotels, announced their corporate partnership with Modest Needs Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding hard-working individuals and families who find themselves faced with unexpected emergency expenses that have the potential to be catastrophic. Loews Hotels raised over $200,000 in less than seven months for the foundation through fundraising events. Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel helped raise funds by selling lemonade at the Santa Monica Pier and other community events

  • We donate excess food to Meals on Wheels and local charities
  • We are active donors to the Police Activities League, OPCC, and Westside Hunger Coalition
  • Our employees worked over 500 volunteer hours in 2007 for charitable organizations throughout Los Angeles
  • Our company has partnered with the Modest Needs foundation to help those in need who are not eligible for other types of financial assistance
  • We donate excess uniforms, bedding and supplies to the Ocean Park community center
  • In 2007, we donated over $20,000 of goods and services to charity, and our team members completed over 500 hours of community service.
  • We offer tours of the hotel and career day for students of the Santa Monica PAL(Police Activities League, Culver City High School and Santa Monica High School)





Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel ▪ (310) 458-6700