Sustainable Works

Sustainable Works

Connecting people and purpose to protect our shared environment

Sustainable Works: Empowering a Culture of Sustainability Across Generations

One of Community Partners’ longest-standing projects, Sustainable Works continues to lead the way in environmental education, business transformation, and community engagement.

 When Gina Garcia, Co-Executive Director of Sustainable Works, joined the organization in 2009, she aligned with its rare blend of education, civic engagement, and practical sustainability. “We don’t just talk about sustainability—we help students, businesses, and communities achieve it and live it,” she said.

 Sustainable Works’ roots date back to 1994, when the City of Santa Monica launched its pioneering Sustainable City Plan—one of the first in the nation to link environmental health to community well-being. A few years later, in 1998, the “Green Team Project” was formed and started the Green Living workshops, dedicated to helping residents adopt greener practices. In 2002, the Green Team Project became Sustainable Works and piloted the Green Business and Student Greening Programs. The Green Living Workshops became the Community Sustainability Program in 2014, and since that time, has reached over 21,000 residents in educational and interactive events, including film screenings, poster contests for K–12 students, and citywide resiliency and landscaping events, reinforcing the idea that sustainability starts at home—and in every neighborhood.

 Educating for Impact: From Classrooms to Communities

Education has always been central to Sustainable Works’ mission. Its community sustainability events have guided thousands of residents through simple but powerful lifestyle changes—reducing waste, saving water, using safer cleaning products, and rethinking transportation habits.

 These efforts inspired the creation of the Student Greening Program, a signature model of peer-to-peer learning open to college students in Santa Monica. The eight-week course blends sustainability principles with hands-on community service. Students earn extra credit, develop leadership skills, and often discover new career paths in environmental fields.

“Since 2006, six of our seven student leaders ended up running the program,” said Garcia. “It’s a real jump-off point for young leaders who want to make a difference. We’ve had students go on to become sustainability managers, lawyers, educators—people who keep paying it forward.”

 Greening Businesses, Strengthening Local Economies

Sustainable Works also administers the Green Business Program.  Launched in 2002, the program now operates under the umbrella of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN) which serves over 58 city and county jurisdictions statewide. Currently serving  businesses in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Culver City –  Sustainable Works helps reduce their operational environmental footprint through conducting onsite assessments and providing step-by-step guidance until enough measures are implemented to achieve the green certification criteria.

Businesses are evaluated on key sustainability areas—Water, Energy, Waste, Procurement, Pollution Prevention, Transportation, and Community involvement —and receive practical turn-key recommendations for improvements. Those that achieve the certification gain recognition through directory listings on websites, local city and statewide promotion, digital assets, window decals, and eligibility to apply for special rebates and grants.  Businesses in Santa Monica can also apply for a Sustainable Quality Award (SQA) in three areas – economic development, social responsibility and environmental stewardship.  Businesses who win in one or more of the three categories are celebrated at an annual awards event since 1995.

“We help businesses rethink everything from waste and water reduction to how their employees get to work,” said Garcia. “It’s not just about compliance—it’s about creating a workplace culture that values sustainability.”

The program also educates businesses about local and statewide ordinances, such as composting organic materials and phasing out single-use plastics. Through these partnerships, Sustainable Works has helped divert thousands of tons of waste from landfills while saving businesses money and strengthening local economies.

Keeping the Needle Moving

Over time, Sustainable Works has seen the public’s understanding of sustainability evolve. “When we started, just convincing people to switch to energy-efficient lightbulbs felt like a big win,” Garcia recalled. “Now, people are more informed—they’re composting, they’re paying attention to water use, and they’re asking how they can do more.”

Still, the work remains urgent. Climate change, resource scarcity, and the fast pace of consumption all pose ongoing challenges. “The awareness is there,” Garcia said. “Our job now is to help people take the next step—through information, action, and collaboration.”

Looking Ahead: Regional Growth and New Opportunities

As Sustainable Works looks to the future, its goals are clear: expand the Student Greening Program to the Los Angeles Community Colleges and administer the Green Business Program in more cities across the region.

The organization also plans to relaunch its membership program to generate flexible, unrestricted funding and build a more robust network of supporters and volunteers. An expanded advisory board is in the works as well, designed to help shape the organization’s next chapter of innovation and impact.

“After more than two decades, we’re still growing. Sustainability is about living in a way that allows future generations to enjoy the same quality of life or better than we do today—and that’s what drives us every day.”

— Gina Garcia, Co-Executive Director, Sustainable Works

Learn more about Sustainable Works.