Tips for Planting Native Plants

Happy spring! As the weather gets warmer and the days become brighter, this time of the year becomes the perfect opportunity to add new plants to your garden. 

If you like gardening, choosing to plant native plants from your region can help you save on water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Native plants easily adapt to new environments and are uncomplicated to take care of. If you have native plants at home, you eliminate the use of mowers and big water bills. They grow in harmony with the environment and self-sustain over time. Set the right conditions for your native plants to thrive and watch a beautiful garden unfold in and around your house. 

Below are some tips on how to get started planting natives.

  • Get Familiar with native plants. 

Check how big native plants grow, what they look like, and which grow in areas similar to your yard. Access these online Native Planting Guides and Native Gardening Resources by the California Native Plant Society for a complete list of native plants organized by region or visit you local botanical garden!

  • Group plants with similar needs. 

An easy way to organize your native garden is to determine each plant’s need for shade or sun. Usually, California native plants need adequate drainage and uncrowded conditions. Group together based on their needs.

  • Incorporate other natural features.

Get creative and add some boulders, rocks, pebbles, stones, or mounds around your plants. Check out this article about Landscaping Ideas with Rocks and how to add some unique character to your backyard!

 

  • Consider when you are planting.

Planting in late fall is optimal, but winter and spring also have ideal conditions. Avoid planting during the heat of the summer and give plants enough time to grow strong before peak weather season. 

 

  • Fire Safety Plants

Given that native plants are small in size, low to the ground, and have limited water needs, these types of gardens are a safe choice against fire. Native plants don’t contain oils or resins that are best in areas of high fire risk. Check your local nursery for more advice on fire-resistant plants best for your area.

Happy gardening! Please consider throwing your yard waste into the green organics bin. Visit wastefreesd.org and find more information about Green Bins and organic waste services available to your home!

Thrift Shopping Tips

Thrift shopping is a fun, financially friendly, and a more sustainable alternative to traditional shopping. Textile waste is increasing due to the demand for fast fashion and massive clothing production. In 2014, the average consumer bought 60% more clothing than in 2000, but kept it all for half as long. Studies show that the average American throws away about 82 lbs. of textiles every year, making 5% of our landfills textile waste.

So what can we do? Support your local thrift shop and shop second-hand items to give them a second life and divert them from ending up in our landfills. You can find one-of-a-kind clothing pieces that make your style feel unique and fresh by shopping second hand. Here are some tips to maximize your next thrifting outing: 

1. Have a Plan

Go in with specific things you are looking for. If you want to find a cool Hawaiian shirt for your next trip to the beach, head straight to the button-down rack and start looking for a design that calls your name. Be ready to dig through the options and remember to be patient with the process.

2. Upcycle the items you purchase

If you find an item you were looking for but it seems a bit worn down, get creative and find new ways to upcycle and remodel your product. Recently, an ILACSD staff went thrift shopping for furniture and found a worn down picnic-style chair. They sanded the chair down and repainted it green, adding just the right pop of color to her patio! Check out the DIY Inspired website for more crafty tips and upcycling projects.

3. Ask yourself some questions before purchasing

Do you already have something that looks similar? Do I really need this or is this a temporary want? By doing some self-reflection before check-out, you can detach yourself from the process of shopping and enjoy it as a peaceful and creative activity for self-expression.

4. Explore other second-hand resources

There are multiple other options other than thrift shops where you can find second hand items! Check out Offer Up and Facebook Market Place for second hand items being sold in your local areas. Buy Nothing groups on Facebook have items usually for free, garage sales and yard sales happen on the weekends, and vintage shops are great places to find curated items. 

Another great idea is to exchange items that you already own with your friends and family. Check out our latest blogpost on “How to Host Your Own Clothing SWAP” for more details.

5. Don’t overwhelm yourself

Thrifting should be fun! Explore one section of the store during your visit and check-in with yourself on time. Bring some headphones to listen to music and get in the zone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help to find what you are looking for and ask other shoppers for opinions on items!

6. Don’t feel like you need to buy everything at the thrift store!

Just because prices may be cheap does not mean you should be purchasing everything you picked out. Remember, the whole idea is to reduce the unnecessary textile waste that ends up in the landfill and purchasing additional items may make it more tempting to toss out old ones. Choose your top items to buy at a thrift store. 

7. Donate Your Items

Remember that by donating items keeps the thrifting cycle alive. The next time you find yourself at a thrift store, think to yourself: if I bring an item into my closet, what item can I take out and donate? By donating items you help create a circular economy!

Looking to go thrifting? Find your local thrift shop or closest donation center near you on WasteFreeSD.org. 

Want to attend a Clothing SWAP? Check out www.cleansd.org/events to find our next SWAP event near you!

Valentine’s Day Meatless Meal Ideas

You can make choices as a consumer which could lessen your own carbon footprint. This is not to say completely cut meat out of your diet, but consider eating less of them – especially during the holidays! 

We have compiled a list of meatless food to chef-it-up this Valentine’s Day. Surprise your special someone by showing them new vegetarian recipes and your care for the environment. 

Click on each title to be directed to the full recipe.

APPETIZERS

Veggie Rolls

The perfect comfort food.

 

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Keep it fresh and crispy!

MAIN COURSE

Kimichi Fried Rice

An all-time favorite. “The best thing about this Kimchi fried rice, besides how delicious it is and how fast it comes together, is how good kimchi is for us! Fermented foods, including delicious kimchi, increase the good bacteria in our gut, and many believe that the secret to overall good health starts in the gut.”

Vegeterian Pad See Ew

Pasta is a love language!

DESSERTS

Mango Sago Pudding

Made from tapioca- try one of the most popular desserts in Hong Kong and Tawain!

Jiggly Fluffy Cheescake

Perfect for a sweet holiday.

DRINKS

Lychee Mint Color

A refreshing drink to enjoy over a nice home-cooked meal.

Yogurt Soju (alcoholic)

Don’t be afraid to experiment! This drink includes alcohol.

We hope you enjoy your meatless Valentine’s Day!

Consider buying your ingredients locally and in bulk to reduce your overall food miles. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find the closest refill store or farmers market near you.

Our Favorite Indoor Plants

Did you know there are many benefits to having indoor plants? Aside from adding a touch of color to your home, research has shown that having plants at home can help purify oxygen and may enhance your mood


Here are are some of our favorite indoor plants that are easy to begin your plant journey:

Bunny Ear Cactus – As cute as its name! This cactus originally from Northern Mexico likes to be in direct sunlight and will add some life in your workspace. Water your plant when the top inch of the potting soil is dry.

Golden Pothos

 Long lasting plant and a favorite for many to begin their plant journey.  Easy to take care of and adapts to most lighting situations except direct sunlight. Place it on a hanging pot and watch its vines cascade over time. Water once every 1-2 weeks.

Aloe Vera

These sun-loving succulents clear the air and offer a gel inside their leaves that help cure burns and cuts if properly applied.

 Bamboo Palm

Hardy and effective air purifiers that love to be in the sun or under bright light. Grows vertically and does not occupy much floor space.

Spider Plant

Resilient plant that sprouts tiny white flowers and doesn’t require much watering. Will make your home feel like a jungle!

 

Different plants will require different care. Begin your plant journey with one of the species listed above and watch the benefits unfold in front of your eyes. 

Already in the gardening groove? Remember to throw away your plant trims in the appropriate green waste bin. Visit WasteFreeSD.org and search for “Green Waste/Yard Trimmings” to find a compost facility near you!

Zero-Waste Tips When Dining Out

Going out for a meal is an experience we all enjoy. In this blog, we have compiled 6 easy tips to ditch waste and reduce our environmental impact when dining out. Start by applying just one of the tips below during your next food journey and, over time, the more you repeat the tip the more it will become a habit. You got this and Bon Appetit! 

1. Bring your reusable food containers from home for your leftovers.

Did you know that you are allowed to bring your home containers to restaurants? 
The CA Retail Food Code, section 114121 (b) states that consumers are allowed to take a personal container as long as an employee fills it and there is no cross-contamination with the utensil that is being used to serve the food. The law states that “consumer-owned containers returned to the food facility for refilling may be refilled and returned to the same consumer if the container is refilled by an employee of the food facility or the owner of the container if the dispensing system includes a contamination-free transfer process that cannot be bypassed by the container owner. © Consumer-owned containers that are not food-specific may be filled at a water vending machine or system.”

We recommend storing containers in your car so you can be ready next time you need to pack up some leftovers. Check out these affordable 3 piece stainless steel tupperware!
Bonus Tip: Repurpose jam or yogurt containers and bring them along to hold sauces like salsa and ketchup!

2. Ask for no straws or bring your own reusable straw from home.

Straws are a single-use plastic with little to no utility. Based on the Association of Zoos & Aquariums “Five hundred million straws are used each day by people in the United States alone.” Most plastic straws are not biodegradable and end up in our waterways which ultimately pollute animals, plants, people, and the environment.

If you or any of your family members have to use a straw for medical reasons, or if you just prefer to use one in your daily use, we recommend buying a reusable or biodegradable straw. Check out these silicon and stainless-steel foldable straws by FinalStraw that are easy to clean and keep around! 

3. Following our previous tip, we encourage you to bring your own set of silverware or chopsticks instead of single-use plastic utensils to avoid creating unnecessary waste!

Set the example with reusable utensils to avoid creating waste. Check out this all-in-one bamboo silverware set from Brut Essentials!

4. Don’t ask for a water cup unless you really need it!

Zero-waste tries to eliminate single-use items. Restaurants are now only giving out water cups on request to help minimize water and plastic cup waste. Ideally, bringing a reusable water bottle would be a great strategy to contribute to the change. You are bound to drink some water after a big meal. Pack your water bottle and bring it to your next meal out to avoid using single-use water bottles or cups. Every habit makes a difference. 

5. Order only as much as you will eat

According to a report by the National Restaurant Association, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and the Food Marketing Institute, half a pound of food waste is generated on average for each meal ordered in restaurants, either from what’s leftover on the plate or when cooking in the kitchen. If we consciously order meals based on our capacity to consume, we can avoid unnecessary waste to be created from our meals.

6. Give the restaurant feedback!

Most restaurant managers would love to hear your positive comments or feedback on their recycling and composting practices! With the new Organics Law SB1838 becoming active in the state of California, citizens can play a leading role in educating more public restaurants about the changes needed to be implemented to take better care of our environment and properly recycle organic waste. 

If you want to learn more about eco-friendly restaurants, guidelines, and utensils check-out these resources below:

  • Green Restaurant Association – Earn a Green Employee Accreditation

Do you work in the restaurant industry? Help our planet today by educating yourself on restaurant sustainability facts in six environmental categories. After you go through the Green Restaurant Association Education Section, you can take a test to become a Green Restaurant Accredited Employee (GRAE

 http://www.dinegreen.com 

  • Surfrider Foundation – Ocean Friendly Restaurants

We’re building an inclusive community of eco-conscious restaurants, activists, and patrons that support a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and our planet to find more joy and peace in our everyday lives.

https://sandiego.surfrider.org/ofr

Zero Waste Holiday Gatherings

This is the season for celebrations and many of us will either be hosting or attending dinner parties, festive celebrations, and family gatherings. Here are seven tips on how to plan a festive zero-waste gathering that you, your loved ones, and the environment will love:

1. Smart Shopping

  • Buy local – There are many farmers markets around San Diego that sell homegrown veggies and goods. Visit a food market near you or explore a new one to find ethically grown ingredients! 
  • Buy Bulk – As recommended in our previous blog Zero Waste Thanksgiving, bulk buying some of your products to reduce plastic packaging and save some money! Bulk buying doesn’t mean you need to buy family-sized bags of produce, you can just bring your own containers to designated stores and fill them based on your needs.

2. Don’t feel like cooking? Find a sustainable restaurant to cater.

Save yourself some time and cater food from local businesses that align with your socio-environmental values. Some factors to consider when looking for places to cater are:

  • Is this restaurant locally owned?
  • Do they use seasonal ingredients to make their plates? Are there vegan options?
  • How are the packaging for the food deliveries and can I offer my own kitchen utensils as an alternative?

A great catering option in San Diego worth considering ordering from is Make Cafe. The outdoor garden restaurant and catering company is a job-training social enterprise that provides hands-on work experience to refugee and immigrant women. Their food is prepared from scratch with multiple vegetarian and vegan options. 

“Every time you are spending money you are casting a vote for the world you want” – Anne Lape’

3. Get creative with your parties and eliminate the need for dishware. 

Consider making finger food options, like crispy roasted potatoes or a delicious flatbread, for your party! This will not only save you time cooking but also reduce the amount of utensils and dishes you need to clean at the end of the night! 

4. Choose eco-conscious dishware

When possible, utilize reusable dishes, utensils, and cloth napkins. If you do choose to go with single use items, try to use more environmentally conscious options like compostable plates and paper plates made from recycled material. Check out the following link to learn about Verterra, a compostable plate brand made from fallen leaves in this following link.

5. Go natural with your decorations

Did you know that plants can reduce stress and enhance your mood? A study published in 2015 by the National Library of Medicine proved that interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress and boost mood and productivity.

Next time you are hosting a party try using plants as a form of decoration and psychological enhancer. Find greenery and flowers from your yard to create natural centerpieces. Pinecones are a great option too! Get inspired and check out these centerpiece ideas!

6. Help your guests be eco-friendly 

Many times all it takes to create change is to communicate. Put up signs to indicate which waste bins are trash, recycling, or composting, along with examples of what should go in each for your guests to know how to handle waste properly.  

7. After the party 

Who doesn’t love leftovers? Save the jam jars and mason jars to store or send leftover food for your or your guests. You can also repurpose empty glass beverage bottles into vases and centerpieces for your next event.

 

We hope this article inspires you to get creative with zero waste practices when hosting a party. Enjoy your night and don’t forget to take care of the environment! 

Zero Waste Thanksgiving

Zero Waste Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, being grateful, and… lots of food! If you are starting to plan your Thanksgiving meals for the holiday, consider these zero-waste tips to keep our landfills from getting stuffed!

Buy Local

Visit your local farmer’s market or grocery store instead of big chain supermarkets to buy the produce and poultry you need for your Thanksgiving meal. This not only reduces your carbon footprint but supports local farmers and agriculture. The money you spend will be put back into the local economy and used to invest in better farming equipment and practices, resulting in better yield and fresher foods.

Buy in Bulk

Consider bulk buying some of your products to reduce plastic packaging and save some money! Bulk buying doesn’t mean you need to buy family-sized bags of produce, you can just bring your own containers to designated stores and fill them based on your needs. For Thanksgiving, items to bulk buy include rice, potatoes, pasta, honey, spices, herbs, and vegetables. Check out this resource on How to Bulk Buy for more tips or type in “refill stores” on wastefreesd.org to find a bulk store near you! 

Dinnerware

Avoid using single-use plastic. Instead, use plates, bowls, and cutlery already at home. If you don’t have enough, ask a friend or family member to bring their own. For larger parties, consider purchasing compostable dinnerware made from natural plant-based materials, which are biodegradable and a more sustainable option.

Make Turkey Broth

Did you know that turkey broth is beneficial for the bones and digestive system, and contains nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals essential to the body? Instead of throwing out the carcass and innards as you would normally, add them all into a large pot along with some onions, carrots, and celery, then cover everything with water and let it simmer for 4-6 hours. You can also find other recipes and ideas here on how to use the entire turkey and not waste a single part.

Leftovers

No matter how carefully you plan, you’re bound to have some leftovers. Make sure you make space in the fridge beforehand and use a vacuum sealer so the food stays fresher for longer periods of time. You can also use leftovers to make new recipes such as Thanksgiving leftover casserole using mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Discover more delicious recipes here.

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are able to put into practice at least some of our Zero Waste Thanksgiving tips! For tips and tricks on sustainability visit our blog at WasteFreeSD 

4 Steps to Zero Waste Pumpkin Carving

4 Steps to a Zero Waste Pumpkin Carving For Halloween

Carving pumpkins for Halloween? With all of the goodness that usually gets tossed into the trash during this holiday activity, learn how to make this tradition more sustainable. Check out these 4 steps to make your carving completely zero waste this year!

But First! Cut Your Pumpkin

Start with a sharp knife, metal spoon, and two bowls – one for flesh and one for seeds. Cut open the pumpkin by carving a circle into the top (or bottom) of the pumpkin.

Scoop out seeds & strings (aka “guts”) into one bowl, and then for the other bowl use a strong spoon to scrape the walls for the “flesh” that can be used to make pie! 

Then, carve your design as desired!

 

1. Roast the Pumpkin Seeds for a Tasty Snack

Ingredients: Raw Seeds, Water, Olive Oil or Butter, Salt

  • Rinse seeds & separate guts
  • Preheat oven to 400°F
  • Coat bottom of baking pan with olive oil or butter
  • Spread seeds on a pan and in a single layer – toss them to coat with the oil & add salt (can also add chili flakes or other seasoning!)
  • Bake on the top rack until seeds begin to brown, ~ 20 minutes. When lightly browned, remove & let cool.

Store in a jar and use as a snack or an addition to soups, salads, granola bars, oatmeal bowls and more!

2. Make Some Purée!

  • Bring water to boil in bottom of steamer or in a pan
  • Remove skin from pumpkin meat & slice into similarly sized chunks
  • Place chunks in a steamer (or metal colander in pan with lid on) for approx. 50 minutes or until soft & mushy
  • Squash with fork or potato masher to make purée, or use a blender

Leave to cool and use it for other recipes like pie, face masks, or soup! Freeze leftovers for later use.

3. Revitalize your skin with a DIY pumpkin face mask.

Nourish your skin and use the extra remains of pumpkin puree to make a face mask at home!  For an exfoliating facial scrub mix ½ cup of pumpkin purée with 1 tbsp of organic honey and ½ of finely ground oatmeal. For a quick and vitamin-C filled face mask, mix 1 tbsp.of pumpkin puree and 1 tsp. of plain yogurt. For more inspiration, try one of the face mask recipes from Hello Glow.

4.  Repurpose carved pumpkins and turn them into bird feeders!

Cut your carved pumpkins in half and fill the bottom with bird seed. Then, watch as feathered friends flock to your yard! Afterwards, be sure to compost the remainder. Just don’t forget to scrape off any wax from the pumpkin so it doesn’t get eaten!

After you’ve used up all the pumpkin that you can, take a moment to be proud of yourself and appreciate your ability to use up every part of the pumpkin! Be sure to share your knowledge with your friends, family, and neighbors! Happy Halloween!

Want to find the nearest location where you can compost your pumpkins and any other organic food waste? Visit our website www.wastefreesd.org and find the closest recycling, repair, donation or disposal centers near you!

4 Ways to Eliminate Textile Waste

According to the County of San Diego, Americans generated 32 billion pounds of textile discards in 2015. Textiles make up around 6% of all municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. Tossing textiles in the trash unnecessarily fills our local landfills and wastes the resources that went into making them including vast amounts of water, energy, land and other resources.

What is a textile? Textiles can be items of clothing, homegoods, or fabrics that are made from woven material or fibers.

1. REDUCE – Become a minimalist

  • Reduce your consumption of textiles, new clothes, and accessories by reducing what you purchase! The less we purchase the less we have to manage as waste at the end of that product’s useful life. Read more about the benefits of becoming a minimalist here
  • Check out this practical guide to owning fewer clothes

2. REPAIR – Repair as much as possible

  • Did your favorite shirt loose a button? Consider learning how to sew a button back onto that top rather than buying a new piece of clothing to replace it
  • Not sure how to mend, sew, or repair textiles? Visit one of I Love a Clean San Diego’s upcoming FIX-IT! Repair & Reuse Workshops

3. REUSE – Upcycle, Thrift, or Swap

4. RECYCLE – Donating can lead to recycling

  • Turn all your hangers in your closet backwards. When you wear something, turn the hanger the correct way. After a year, if anything is still hanging backwards, donate it. Donate to a local organization and support a cause; search “Textiles/Clothing” on WasteFreeSD.org for locations
  • If your item of clothing is unusable, consider sending them to a textile-recycling program
  • Check out this donation bin field guide to learn the difference between a donation bin versus a for-profit bin
  • Some retailers will recycle for you H&M, Patagonia, Nike, Madewell, The North Face, Levi’s + more!

Visit WasteFreeSD.org to learn more about reduce, reuse, recycling centers, events, and resources in your area.

What to do with all those old batteries?

Keep Batteries Out of Bins!

Batteries and products that contain batteries cannot be disposed of in trash or recycling bins. Batteries that enter are waste stream pose a significant safety threat because they are responsible for rising occurrences of fires and environmental contamination. 

Batteries are considered as hazardous wastes under the category of universal wastes in California because of the materials they are made from. Acids, lead, nickel, lithium and mercury to name a few are dangerous and toxic. When batteries are subjected to the heat, pressure, an machinery of a garbage or recycling truck or become punctured or pierced by waste sorting machinery, they can spark and ignite a fire. 

Additionally, the dangerous and toxic components of batteries will leach into the environment when not disposed of properly. This not only contaminates the soil and water systems, but have the potential to affect our health and well-being through accumulation in wildlife and the food we eat.

TYPES OF BATTERIES 

AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, rechargeable batteries, single batteries, car batteries, motorcycle batteries, scooter batteries, e-cigarette and vape batteries.

RECYCLING BATTERIES

Battery Recycling is becoming increasingly more safe, convenient and accessible. On September 19, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Responsible Battery Recycle Act of 2022 and Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003: covered battery-embedded products. When in effect, these two laws will increase the number of battery collection sites throughout California. 

Here’s where you can recycle batteries in San Diego: 

  • Libraries: 14 county libraries in San Diego accept standard alkaline batteries, drop them off in the drop-off bin inside
  • O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Store: Most O’Reilly’s recycle household batteries as well as lead acid automotive batteries. Remember to call before you go to make sure your local O’Reilly’s are accepting batteries for recycling
  • Many electronic stores in San Diego can take batteries for recycling. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find a store near you
  • Household Hazardous Waste Facilities: Hazardous waste facilities accept all types of batteries. Always bring damaged batteries to HHW facilities. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find out which facility you can go to
  • The Big Green Box: An easy and convenient 3-step process to dispose of all types of batteries (excluding automotive batteries) – purchase a box, fill the box, ship the box. The company Retriev Technologies then uses a diverse array of technologies to ensure each battery component is recovered in the most environmentally sound way possible
  • Battery Solutions: Similar to The Big Green Box – purchase a box, fill the box, ship the box. They offer different container sizes to suit the needs of not only regular households but industries as well

TO FIND A BATTERY COLLECTION SITE NEAR YOU, VISIT WasteFreeSD.Org

BATTERY STORAGE 

  • Store household batteries in their original packaging so they are out of contact with other batteries. 
  • Make sure the batteries are stored with all the positive ends facing the same direction. 
  • Avoid storing batteries with metal objects because contact can cause batteries to short circuit and lead to leakage. 
  • Do not ever mix damaged batteries with other batteries. This again could result in short circuiting and cause fires or worse explosions. 
  • If batteries are leaking, handle them with care by wearing gloves, then place them in a clear plastic bag to be transported to your local hazardous waste collection facility. 
  • For  extra step safety, you could place the bag in non-flammable material such as sand or kitty litter.