HOW TO: Make Your Own Doggie Bag Carrier from Upcycled Materials

One of the best things you can do to help prevent pathogens, harmful nutrients, parasites, and diseases from entering our waterways is to make sure that you pick up after your pet. To help keep you equipped with bags on this mission, we put together a quick “how to” for crafting your own doggie bag holder from upcycled materials. These are great for pet-owners and concerned citizens alike, and can be worn around your wrist, tied to a leash, or kept in your car.

Materials Needed:

• Two clean yogurt containers OR the bottoms of two plastic soda bottles (with labels removed)
• Scissors OR crafting knife
• Sandpaper or nail file (optional)
• Tape (the thicker the better here but most kinds will work)
• String, yarn, ribbon, or a strip of cloth

Prepare the Dispenser Piece

1. Cut a hole roughly 1¼ inches in diameter on one of your two containers. Using your sandpaper or nail file, sand down any rough edges here as desired.

2. Tear off a piece of tape roughly 2 inches square. Set that aside for now.
3. Tear off a second piece of tape just slightly larger than 1¼ in each direction.
4. Place the two pieces of tape together – sticky-sides together – as shown in the picture below. The first piece of tape should have some of the sticky side still exposed.

5. Tape the joined tape strips to the bottom of the container you cut a hole in. There should be no sticky sides showing on either side of the hole.
6. Tear off a last piece of tape, about 3 inches square, to cover both pieces of tape and secure them in place. It should look like the following:

7. Set the container so the side with the hole you cut is facing up. Cut an “x” shape into the middle of the tape.

Make the Handle

1. Cut two small holes near the rim of each of your containers, one on each side, as shown below.

2. Thread your ribbon, string, or cloth through the hole (if you choose ribbon or cloth, your hole will need to be bigger than the one pictured). Be sure to leave extra string for a handle between each knot, so you have a handle to use when carrying. This handle size can be to your preference, but for the model shown about 12” of slack between knots was enough.

3. Tie one of the sides off in a double-knotted bow

Fill with Your Bags of Choice

1. Before tying shut your second side, fill your holder with bags. Here, I have used upcycled grocery bags, but rolls of pet poop bags will fit as well. Go ahead and poke one of your bags through the hole created in step 1 to get your dispenser started.

2. Leaving as much string as you would like for a handle between knots (again, I left about 12” for a handle on mine), tie shut the second side with a double-knotted bow. Keep in mind that to refill your holder, you will untie one of these bows, so try not to tie too tight to undo again!

Decorate as Desired and Get to Scooping!

1. Personalize and decorate your exterior however you’d like! Then, you are finished and ready to enjoy your new bag holder! You can slip the handle over your wrist or tie it to your leash and you are all set to start scoopin’!

7 Ways to Shop More Eco-Friendly and Support Non-Profits through AmazonSmile 

Cut down on packaging, request less plastic and use AmazonSmile to generate donations for nonprofits like I Love A Clean San Diego by choosing us as your beneficiary.

As we head into the giving season, I Love A Clean San Diego offers some resources and suggestions to be environmentally conscious while also stretching your purchases to support nonprofits when using Amazon.

Fortune Magazine predicts online sales will grow by 25 to 35 percent this year as fewer consumers purchase in stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of those purchases will be made through Amazon. Like the more than one million charitable organizations on AmazonSmile, I Love A Clean San Diego benefits from those who choose our nonprofit as their beneficiary when shopping through this service. While our organization is grateful for the donations we receive through these purchases, online shopping is responsible for producing alarming amounts of unnecessary waste.

So, please consider these seven tips before logging on for convenience. You’ll lower your environmental footprint and automatically spread social good.

1. Refuse, Reduce and Reuse

While online shopping can be attractive for hard-to-find necessities, unfortunately, the service is not always the best option for the environment. Overseas manufacturing, coupled with transportation from shipping and home delivery releases tons of greenhouse gasses throughout the process. Additional packaging for delivery adds significantly to the waste stream.

It’s true that online shopping provides convenience and competitive prices, but you might take this as an opportunity to pause and consider the bigger picture and ask – do I really need this thing?

Considering the Boston Globe reported “one out of 10 American households rents a storage unit,” located in one of nearly 52,000 storage facilities nationwide, one might conclude we don’t really need more stuff.

Refusing to buy disposable or less durable products, especially plastics, is the most significant way to reduce waste. Reducing what we purchase still brings joy without excess that ultimately contributes to growing landfills.

2. Shop local and support your community

The list of positive reasons to shop local are far too long include in this article! The bottom line is this –
the more money we choose to keep in our communities makes for a more resilient economy and sustains local employment. Shopping local sustains the character and fabric of a city or town and is the most environmentally friendly purchase anyone can make. Choosing to buy products from local eco-conscious brands takes it a step further to enhance local economies and do less harm to our environment.

Shopping domestically produced goods is yet another way to add a greater level of environmental mindfulness to a purchase. Cheap items from overseas are on the fast track to the landfill. Here in San Diego County, the region’s largest landfill in Miramar is scheduled to reach capacity and close in 2030. Then what?

3. Shopping on Amazon? Use AmazonSmile

When you are choosing to shop online, make a conscious choice and shop using AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile donates 0.5 percent of eligible purchases directly to registered nonprofits like I Love A Clean San Diego. Supporting a nonprofit comes at no additional cost to you and is a great way ensure these organizations can continue to spread good in the world. It only takes a second to switch from Amazon to AmazonSmile and make your purchase go farther. You can also access AmazonSmile from the mobile app. Use the link above for directions.

4. Don’t Rush, Reduce the Carbon Footprint

When choosing to shop on Amazon, consider the effects Amazon Prime has on our environment. The option for same-day, one-day or two-day shipping increases our carbon footprint and releases unnecessary greenhouse gases as manufactures and shippers rush to get individually packaged products on your door step as quick as possible. Fast shipping contributes to a transportation sector that is already the largest source of air pollution in the world. More delivery trips to the door means more fuel burned.

Select no rush shipping and group your purchases. By choosing to send multiple purchases to your door at one time, you reduce the carbon footprint dramatically and will be equally elated as your items arrive together. Group shipping also reduces unnecessary packing for individually shipped products.

Amazon Prime members – choose Amazon Day Delivery and opt to have your eligible purchased items sent to you on a single day of the week of your choosing. Orders will be combined into fewer boxes and collectively delivered once a week. Save packaging, save delivery runs, save our planet.

5. Shop Frustration Free!

We know there is an absolute cost to convenience. National Geographic published an infographic, illustrating 40 percent of plastic produced is packaging and is used just once before it is discarded. In addition, the magazine noted that some 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year from coastal regions. Plastic never fully decomposes and is detrimental to the health of wildlife on land and in the oceans.

Want the dollars and sense of packaging costs to you? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says, “the average cost of packaging is $1 for every $11 spent. Nine percent of the amount you spend on any product is probably the cost of its packaging.”

Frustration Free shopping on Amazon only takes a second and can save waste for a lifetime.

Amazon has an option to shop products that will ship in their own packaging, no additional packing needed and no extra waste. Here’s the deal – Amazon’s Certified Frustration Free Packing Program is designed to reduce waste, tested to ensure items are not damaged while shipped and includes recyclable materials. When shopping online, it’s a no brainer.

When you log in to your AmazonSmile account, select Amazon Frustration-Free Packing from the dropdown on the left side of the search bar or type directly into the search bar itself. From there, shoppers have access to all products that are included in this reduced waste program.

6. Go the extra mile. Go plastic free!

Feel like going the extra green mile? Email cs-reply@amazon.com and request a reduction in plastic and packaging on your account. Amazon will apply this request to all your purchases going forward.

7. Recycle Right

The Environmental Protection Agency reported containers and packaging make up a major portion of municipal solid waste, amounting to 80.1 million tons (United States, 2017). Imagine what that number looks like now with the explosion of home delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Washington Post, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. This alarming statistic demands consumers reduce waste and recycle whenever possible to preserve our endangered ocean and wildlife.

Amazon Second Chance eliminates the guessing game of which packaging items can be recycled. Check out which Amazon packages can be recycled and learn how to correctly recycle or dispose of each unique item. Amazon Second Chance is also a great resource for purchasing second hand or pre-owned items to reduce waste.

I Love A Clean San Diego founded and maintains WasteFreeSD as a one-stop resource to help residents around the county recycle right and properly dispose of items that would otherwise end up in landfills. As shoppers replace household items of all kinds, it is essential that those items are recycled whenever possible and stay out of the landfills. Click on Recycle Right for additional resources.

Now that you have all the tools to shop online while making a conscious effort to preserve the environment and spread social good to non-profits – you’re ready for the holiday season! I Love A Clean San Diego appreciates all donations made to our organization through AmazonSmile as we continue to lead and inspire our community to actively conserve and enhance the environment through example, outreach, and local involvement.

If you have more helpful tips on how to shop more eco-consciously online, let us know!

WasteFreeSD FAQs during COVID-19

Recycling

WasteFreeSD FAQs during COVID-19

Updates on Local Recycling Facilities and Centers, and How to Maintain Zero Waste Practices

If you are curious about how to stay on top of zero waste practices, proper recycling, and responsible disposal during COVID-19, you’re not alone! Our WasteFreeSD hotline (incorporated residents call:1-800-237-2583; unincorporated residents call: 1-877-713-2784) has received an influx of calls regarding shifts in policy, and updates on the status of recycle centers and buyback facilities.

I Love A Clean San Diego’s Recycling Programs Department has developed an overview of some of their most frequently asked questions, including up to date information on operating hours and changes in recycle policy. Although this list is not comprehensive, we will post updates as we hear about them.

We are all brainstorming creative ways to continue sustainable practices. Please continue to share your questions with us and any unique ways you’ve been able to maintain waste free habits.

Operational Status of Commonly Requested Centers

  • The Miramar Recycling Center is still open and accepts CRV as well as e-waste, u-waste and most metals. Please visit WastFreeSD.org for a full list of accepted items.
  • AutoZones are open and collecting used motor oil and filters. Please call your Local AutoZone to verify hours.
  • EDCO Buyback facilities are all closed until further notice.
  • Fallbrook Recycling and Transfer Station is closed until further notice
  • All PaintCare drop off locations are on hold until further notice. They have cancelled all events through June and are suspending the bulk pick up as well.
  • The Solana Center is closed to all recycling and compost drop off until further notice. Please visit their website for updated information.

Open Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facilities

El Cajon:
(619) 596-5100
1001 W. Bradley Avenue
El Cajon, California 92020
Open 2nd and 4th Saturdays every month.
Please call to make an appointment.
Open to Unincorporated residents and City of El Cajon residents only.

Chula Vista:
1 (800) 237-2583
1800 Maxwell Road
Chula Vista, California 91911
Open Wednesday and Saturday every week.
No appointment necessary.
Open to Unincorporated and City of Chula Vista residents only.

Update on Beverage Recycling Centers, In Store Redemption and Grocery Bags

According to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order on Beverage Recycling Centers, In-Store Redemption and Grocery Bags, Public Resources Code section 14571.6, subdivisions (a) and (b), is suspended for a period of 60 days.

MEANING: While California has temporarily suspended enforcement of bottle and can takeback requirements, local retailers and recycling centers may determine whether or not to close or stop redeeming CRV during this time. Consumers are advised to call ahead before bringing CRV containers for redemption. Cans and bottles can still be recycled in your blue bin.

While California has temporarily suspended the single-use carryout bag ban, you can ask to put your groceries in your cart and bag them at your car with your reusable bags!

For questions or concerns on the CRV recycling call CalRecycle at 1-800-RECYCLE.

For additional information regarding recycling resources and zero waste practices, please call our toll free hotline:

Incorporated residents call: 1-800-237-BLUE (1-800-237-2583)
Unincorporated residents call: 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784)

Visit us on WasteFreeSD.org or leave us a comment below!

April and May Event Updates from the Executive Director

Postponed Events Through April
I Love A Clean San Diego sets new date for Creek to Bay Cleanup and postpones all April events and workshops. KIDS OCEAN DAY is postponed in May until the fall.

Dear I Love A Clean San Diego Family,

As we all adjust to evolving information and our new daily lifestyle with COVID-19, I hope this message finds you and your family well. I want to thank our volunteers and supporters for your patience and continued support during this time.

Creek to Bay and other events in April
As of today, we are postponing all cleanup events and educational activities for the month of April until further notice. This also affects one of our largest cleanups of the year, the Creek to Bay Cleanup. The new date for the countywide Creek to Bay Cleanup is Saturday June 20, 2020 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Marking the first day of summer, we are confident this later date will give all those involved a greater sense of safety in hopes we have returned to a more normal daily routine. Our goal remains to host over 100 sites in communities throughout the county with more than 5,000 volunteers. A list of confirmed cleanup sites and volunteer registration will be released in May.

We of course will follow the guidance and recommendations of public health leadership to adjust for safe event operations.

KIDS OCEAN DAY San Diego
At this time, the only event we know will be postponed in May is KIDS OCEAN DAY. Given the uncertainty of our region’s school schedules, we will hold the event this fall once students are back in school. We are working closely with the California Coastal Commission on coordination.

Become A Sponsor of Creek to Bay and KIDS OCEAN DAY
Contact Ian Monahan
619.795.5806 or imonahan@cleansd.org

As a reminder, our entire team at I Love A Clean San Diego is now working part-time and remotely. We are still maintaining phone inquiries, emails, meetings and virtual conferencing.

In addition, the WasteFreeSD hotline remains open. Visit WasteFreeSD.org for more information.

We will be in touch again with timely updates.

Because we LOVE where we live,

Len Hering

Executive Director

I Love A Clean San Diego

From the Executive Director – Our Response to Coronavirus

I Love A Clean San Diego’s Response to Public Health Action and the Coronavirus

As many of you know, I Love A Clean San Diego has served as San Diego County’s go-to environmental nonprofit for more than 65 years. Our adult workshops, classroom education, corporate trainings and community cleanups touch nearly every corner of our beautiful region. We know the current public health environment is impacting your lives both personally and professionally, as it is for us here at I Love A Clean San Diego.

We want to assure the thousands of volunteers and our many public and private partners that we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the work we offer to residents throughout the region. As a retired Rear Admiral of the United States Navy, I am personally maintaining consistent contact with my colleagues at the federal, state and local levels so our organization stays in lockstep with the evolving changes necessary to contain and hopefully prevent the spread of the coronavirus in our region.

Our Action

Under the recommendation of public health leadership and to address the financial impacts of contracted work that has been postponed during the coronavirus outbreak, I Love A Clean San Diego is taking the following action:

  • We have postponed all events, workshops and educational activities through March, and will continue to reevaluate further postponement of activities extending into April or beyond
  • As of Wednesday, March 18 the majority of our staff will be working from home, with limited staff onsite to maintain daily logistics
  • All employees including leadership are reducing their hours to part-time beginning Monday, March 23 for possibly the next six weeks or longer to address our financial losses
  • All meetings will be conducted virtually
  • We will continue to update our event calendar at CleanSD.org and provide updates through our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter @iloveacleansd

As a non-profit 501(c)3, we will not be eligible for the government relief currently being considered. Consequently, I Love A Clean San Diego will realize a significant fiscal impact to our organization, but we are confident we are taking the appropriate measures to safeguard the long term stability of the organization and the programs we deliver to communities throughout San Diego County. With your support, we will return stronger than ever with the programs you have come to know and love.

Be Safe

In the spirit of volunteerism and service, which you have demonstrated over the years to make a lasting impact for the communities around San Diego County, the current environment is about all of us. We need to take care of ourselves so we can help those in need through this difficult time. We will get through this together.

Because we LOVE where we live,

Len Hering

Executive Director

I Love A Clean San Diego

Recycle Christmas Trees After the Holidays With WasteFreeSD.org

Christmas Tree Composting

Living and Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees Are Better for the Environment: Compost Them After the Holidays to Avoid Fire Hazard and Reduce Waste

I Love A Clean San Diego and WasteFreeSD.org show County residents how and where to recycle their trees.

A living or fresh-cut Christmas tree is one of the best options in terms of the environment.  Living trees can be planted after the holidays and can even be rented and returned to continue growing.  If you choose a fresh-cut tree, try and support tree farms within your local area.  After the holidays, remember to compost the tree and help close the loop, returning the tree to the earth as mulch. This New York Times Article provides additional commentary. In addition, recycling a tree soon after the holidays also prevents the fire danger associated with a dry tree.

Prevent Fire Danger

After the holidays, County of San Diego residents are encouraged to recycle their Christmas trees as soon as possible to reduce fire danger and minimize the amount of holiday waste sent to the landfill. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house, garage, or placed against any structure.

“The longer you keep a Christmas tree in your home, the more of a fire hazard it becomes,” said Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy for the National Fire Protection Association.

The San Diego County Fire Authority also advises residents not put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

How to Compost Your Tree

Beyond the fire danger dried-out trees pose, they can also contribute to the increase in waste sent to landfills during the holiday season. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, organic materials like Christmas trees, food, and green waste are the number one material sent to landfills, composing two-thirds of the solid waste stream.  Composting these materials preserves space in local landfills, reduces greenhouse gas generation, creates beneficial compost and mulch and removes a potential fire hazard from your property.

Many local waste haulers offer curbside pick-up of Christmas trees and wreaths, in addition to dozens of community drop-off sites. The Christmas trees are ground into mulch, which is then used to improve soil health at public parks, local farms, as well as home and garden landscapes.

Find Pick-up, Drop-off Locations

The partnership between I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego takes the hassle out of recycling your holiday tree by gathering all your tree-cycling’ options into one list. Most waste haulers pick up Christmas trees in their green waste bins during normal curbside collection days for a few weeks following the holiday. Visit WasteFreeSD.org or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784) for more information or to find a local company that offers pick-up. In addition to curbside pick-up, Christmas tree drop-off sites are located in the following communities:

Bonsall | Carlsbad | Coronado | Del Mar | El Cajon | Escondido | Imperial Beach | La Mesa | Lemon Grove | National City | Oceanside | Ramona | San Diego | San Marcos | Solana Beach | Valley Center | Vista

A complete list of tree recycling locations is also available at WasteFreeSD.org or by calling 1-877-R-1-EARTH.

Christmas Tree-cycling Tips

Before recycling your Christmas tree, review these tips to ensure your tree is recycled properly:

  • For curbside recycling, trees taller than four feet should be cut in half. Most waste haulers will not accept tree pieces larger than four feet.
    • Trees do not need to be cut if recycled at an approved drop-off location.
  • Remove any tinsel, ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, and tree stands (metal or plastic) before recycling.
  • Don’t Flock trees or check with your local hauler to see if they accept flocked trees (fake snow).
  • Reuse or donate artificial trees that are in good condition.

Avoid Plastic Trees

Artificial Christmas trees are made of non-recyclable plastic and other materials that do not biodegrade.   Greenhouse gas emissions from their production, packing and shipping generates more waste and exceeds that of the energy required to grow and/or transport a tree from a tree farm.  Whenever possible, shop local for a live or fresh-cut tree and avoid the purchase of a new artificial Christmas trees. If you already own an artificial tree, it’s recommended to use the tree for as long as possible and then donate any trees in good condition to avoid sending them to the landfill.

I Love A Clean San Diego operates San Diego County’s official recycling and household waste database, WasteFreeSD.org From Christmas trees to food donations and appliances to cooking oil, I Love A Clean San Diego makes waste diversion quick and convenient through this helpful database. San Diego County residents are encouraged to visit WasteFreeSD.org or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH to learn how to recycle Christmas trees as well as hundreds of other items.

Reduce Food Waste This Holiday Season to Save Money and the Environment

Holiday Banner Graphic

Food is the centerpiece of nearly all gatherings for the holidays. Yet, in the U.S. some 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S.  never gets eaten. Millions of pounds of uneaten meat, gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes and other seasonal trimmings wind up in landfills to rot. In fact, food is the single largest material disposed of at U.S. landfills today, amounting to each person tossing an average of 20 pounds of food per month into the trash at a cost of approximately $1,500 each year per family. This is a statistic San Diegans can change.

Wasted food also wastes money, time, labor, transportation, water and land used to grow the food. And, decomposing food in landfills release methane gas, a climate pollutant that is up to 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide – so, what do we do?

Fortunately, small changes can make a big difference. This holiday season, by following a few simple tips from I Love A Clean San Diego and WasteFreeSD.org, residents of San Diego County can save money and help the environment while enjoying their holiday meals.

Plan to Reduce Before You Buy

The easiest way to reduce food waste during the holidays is to buy and prepare the right amount of food.

Save the Food, a campaign of the Ad Council in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, created a tool to help save money and time while reducing food waste. Save the Food’s online Guest-imator helps create a menu based on how many people are attending your holiday feast. Try it out here:

Reduce plate waste by using smaller dishes and serving spoons – seriously, it works. Guests can always come back for seconds. Having a plan for leftovers is another way to ensure that the food you prepare is eaten. Provide containers for guests to take home remaining food or use the leftovers in creative ways. There are a number of creative online leftover recipe resources that provide simple solutions.

Vegetable Dishes are Filling and Delicious Substitutions for Meat

Reducing meat dishes and increasing vegetable dishes is just as filling and delicious, and greatly reduces waste. Here is just one of hundreds of resources for vegetarian meals that keep the fall feel of a thanksgiving meal and this site provides suggestions for vegetarian leftovers.

Visit WasteFreeSD.org for more tips, including how to keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer.

Learn More About Reducing Food Waste

Residents interested in learning more about food waste reduction, can visit the County of San Diego’s Recycling website, or attend one of I Love A Clean San Diego’s free, family-friendly Zero Waste Workshops. An upcoming workshop will be hosted in Carlsbad on November 16. Learn more and sign up for the newsletter to receive event updates at CleanSD.org.

Keep Fats, Oils and Greases Out of the Drain

Another important way to protect our environment (and your plumbing) this holiday season, and year-round, is to properly manage used cooking oil.

Deep fried turkeys have become an increasingly popular holiday tradition, but can use up to three gallons of cooking oil. If discarded down a drain like a kitchen sink, oils, fats, and greases may block pipes and cause sewage overflow into homes, streets, lawns, and our ocean, not to mention severely damage home plumbing systems.

Contrary to popular belief, mixing oil with soap or pouring hot water down the drain afterwards are not effective methods for preventing “fat-bergs” that cause sewage backups.

Fortunately, free drop off locations exist for cooking oils.  Collect cooled cooking oils in a secure lidded container labeled “used cooking oil.” Do not mix chemicals or other liquids with the cooking oil. To find the closest drop off location, visit the Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste database, WasteFreeSD.org, or call 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784).

Property Managers Taking Care of Business – and the Planet

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It is America Recycles Day! ARD serves as the perfect time of year to examine and evaluate your recycling practices at home and in the office. While recycling as an individual makes an impact, one of our partners at UWDC explains how property managers and HOAs can majorly amplify the impact in their communities with tips and best practices. For more information on business waste resources, you can also visit WasteFreeSD.org or attend one of our Green Business Solutions workshops.
By Josh Allen

A thousand diligent people in California managing their waste efficiently can set a great example in a community and make a small impact on the environment.

A thousand diligent property managers, on the other hand, can really move the needle.

California is required to meet a state-mandated 75 percent diversion rate from landfills by 2020. Recycling increases the life of local landfills.

Recycling and environment-based programs in local communities can institute change. Recycling batteries, as well as changing paint and cleaning products, can make a real difference. A community spending over an hour instituting diligent programs can accomplish more than one person moving cans from container to container.

Property managers need to seek good resources for their communities and better avenues for getting rid of material. This starts by seeing trash not just as an isolated incident of trash, recycle, and yard waste, but as a foolproof program, like insurance or fire patrol.

Centralizing the recycling program is key. Keeping the house of vendors managed by property managers under one centralized platform can reduce time, stress, and money. A good waste solution company can make sure property managers are compliant and shield them from fines. Being environmentally friendly is perceived as cutting edge by many associations and can lead to more business.

By doing these things, property managers can remove inefficiencies, and drive business back to itself. Waste solution companies can provide simple, clean billing and prevent property managers from sitting on the phone for hours trying to resolve waste-related issues with disposal companies. Instead of property managers getting the frantic calls from their residents, the call is pushed out instead to waste solution companies, taking a huge burden off these managers.

Property managers are the silent champions. They create better communities, even aside from the “green” things. They save money and time, among other things, because of the practices they tout to their residents.

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If property managers looked at their communities like companies, they could see that their actions support the cost of doing business and the cost of improving the environment and the community. If communities threw 400 light bulbs into landfills, it wouldn’t ruin the world. The problem is that if every community has that mindset, it can. Property managers can encourage better practice.

Each California resident throws out an average of six pounds of material into landfills, found California’s 2016 Per Capita Disposal Rate Estimate from CalRecycle.

The best property managers divert waste from landfills and do well in the community by educating its board about opportunities, education, and signage.

For property managers with a number of tasks always in motion, outsourcing that responsibility makes budgetary sense. That way, people can work on the property manager’s behalf and work for those who don’t have the time.

We need to look at these as programs – not just trash and recycling. Time, money, and your community’s involvement should all be looked at as a whole and not just problem, problem, problem. Look at it as an entire program: sustainability, waste diversion.

Universal Waste Disposal Company is constantly looking for smarter waste and recycling solutions. Already, UWSD has launched a training site to help cities comply with environmental state laws. UWDS assists HOAs in California and businesses, such as Associa, reach their waste and recycling goals while saving money and resources. The result is full-service solutions that meet customer needs and exceed diversion goals, streamlining services, and managing programs and expenses.

A local example here in San Diego shows potential. The County worked with Summit Property Management to create a recycling plan for the Rancho Villas HOA community of 304 units. The county switched out dumpsters; supplied residents with recycling bags, educational door hangers and recycling guides; digital program announcements on the program and informational tools from county specialists; and recycling carts.

The program also provided bulk item options, light bulb recycling, curbside pickup, battery recycling, and ink cartridge recycling.

Prior to implementation, the HOA provided limited recycling and 10 of 15 enclosures had no recycling. Now, residents have responded favorably to recycling outreach and recycling dumpsters.

Celebrating Impact and Welcoming New Leadership at the Catamaran Wine Mixer

On Thursday, Oct. 11, I Love A Clean San Diego’s supporters, community members, and local leaders gathered at the beautiful Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa for ILACSD’s annual Fall Social, the Catamaran Wine Mixer, an evening celebrating environmental action in our community.

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This year’s event, which took place as the sun set behind Mission Bay, included delicious food provided by the Catamaran and beer and wine provided by beverage sponsors Baja Brewing Company, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, and Summer Haines; an exciting auction and opportunity drawing; the chance to score premium vintages at the event’s wine pull; a wine tasting sampling a selection of fine wine; live music by Peter Hall; and more!

The festivities were also an opportunity to introduce I Love A Clean San Diego’s new Executive Director, Len Hering. Len began at ILACSD just last week, and we look forward to his leadership as we look toward ILACSD’s future.

The evening’s program kicked off with remarks by District 78 Assemblymember Todd Gloria; Ilsa Butler, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Evans Hotels; and Morgan Justice-Black, Community Relations Manager of San Diego Gas & Electric.

The program culminated with an award ceremony recognizing local volunteers, businesses, and community leaders whose environmental commitment make ILACSD’s mission possible. We were pleased to present awards (made from recycled glass!) to this year’s honorees:

Cox Communications:
Corporate Employee Engagement Award

 KP Charpentier:
Volunteer of the Year Award

Todd Linke:
Leading Tomorrow Award

 Rossel & Company:
Zero Waste Innovation Award

Imperial Beach Councilmember Mark West:
Community Collaboration Award

Proceeds from the Catamaran Wine Mixer will help I Love A Clean San Diego share more environmental educational resources, further build community volunteer opportunities, and offer even more zero waste resources benefitting all of San Diego County. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at this year’s Fall Social for helping us to create a cleaner, healthier, more beautiful San Diego! Check out more photos from the Catamaran Wine Mixer!

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ILACSD would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of the Fall Social:

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Going to Bat for SD by Stepping Up to the Plate as a Site Captain

San Diego Gas & Electric has been delivering San Diegans their power for almost 150 years. On top of their work providing around 45% clean energy to homes and businesses in this region – compared to an average of 8% nationwide – SDG&E supports many local nonprofits organizations that are working to improve the environment. This year, SDG&E and the San Diego Padres are Going to Bat for San Diego, and teaming up to support I Love A Clean San Diego and celebrate Coastal Cleanup Day.

 

ILACSD is proud to be part of the 2018 Going to Bat for San Diego Starting Lineup!

As a special thank you to volunteers that Go to Bat for San Diego, SDG&E and the Padres are recognizing Coastal Cleanup Day participants with a Volunteer Appreciation Night at the Padres game on Monday, September 17. Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers receive a promo code to purchase discounted tickets and be recognized for their accomplishments in keeping San Diego clean.

 

The 34th annual Coastal Cleanup Day will bring thousands of volunteers together on September 15th to beautify more than 100 beaches, parks, and other outdoor spaces throughout the region. Over the past 17 years, SDG&E has helped support I Love A Clean San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day efforts with the participation of thousands of employee volunteers! We are pleased to highlight two SDG&E heavy hitters who have stepped up to the plate to serve as site captains for Coastal Cleanup Day throughout the years.

Crystal Yousef

Crystal and her sidekick, Tipsie, at Coastal Cleanup Day 2013.

Crystal has been an SDG&E employee for 15 years and a Coastal Cleanup Day site captain for close to 10 years. She can always be counted on to go wherever there is a need, and Coastal Cleanup Day has led her on expeditions to Encanto, Poway, Golden Hill, and Rancho Bernardo, among other places.

In her day job, Crystal works at SDG&E’s Environmental Lab, which does environmental sampling and test analyses.  The Lab is certified to test for more than 500 chemical compounds, ensuring that SDG&E facilities are operating safely.

In Crystal’s decade of service at Coastal Cleanup Day, she says her favorite part of the annual volunteer event is seeing kids’ enthusiasm when they find a strange piece of trash. Whether it’s a shoe, a stuffed animal, or even a bathroom scale, kids often burst with excitement recounting where and how they found it, and in some instances, even make up stories for what they think the item is. It’s like trash show-and-tell.

Crystal also notes that she feels a sense of pride each year when she arrives at Coastal Cleanup Day to a sea of Team SDG&E volunteers outfitted in team t-shirts, which for many years were the two-toned tie-dye in the photo to the left. SDG&E and I Love A Clean San Diego are lucky to have folks like Crystal committed to ensuring a safe and successful cleanup for volunteers of all ages! This year, you can find Crystal helping out at the South Shores cleanup site in Mission Bay with Team SDG&E.

Hilary Haskell

Hilary participating in the 2016 City Heights Facelift with Team SDG&E.

Hilary has been an environmental enthusiast from a young age. In fact, in high school she conducted regular beach cleanups, and in college she interned with another environmental nonprofit, Orange County Coastkeeper. Fun fact: during Hilary’s internship, she helped to plan Kids’ Ocean Day in Orange County, aerial art and all! That’s the sister event to ILACSD’s San Diego Kids’ Ocean Day that occurs every spring.

Hilary joined SDG&E a little over two years ago and jumped right in with Coastal Cleanup Day. Last year, she led the San Dieguito Lagoon site for SDG&E, and this year you’ll find her at the Paradise Creek site in National City. Aside from having a good attitude and strong leadership qualities, Hilary brings another attribute to her role as site captain…she knows a lot about the environment! At SDG&E, she makes sure projects like the placing of a new power pole, or even the removal of one, don’t result in a detrimental environmental impact. She’s also one of the company’s leading sustainability advisors, helping to track SDG&E’s environmental performance in key areas.

While Hilary hasn’t been a part of Team SDG&E for very long, we anticipate that her involvement in Coastal Cleanup Day will continue for many years to come!

ILACSD is grateful for SDG&E’s longtime partnership and the hands-on role team members take on to make sure we knock Coastal Cleanup Day out of the park!