Commercial Kitchen Food Waste Reduction Webinar

Green Business Solutions: Commercial Kitchen Food Waste Reduction

Food waste is rampant in the U.S., costing us time, money, and resources ($162 billion annually!). It’s time for us all to trim unnecessary waste. As someone who works in a commercial kitchen, you have a big part to play, and we’re here to help guide you.

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego on Wednesday, May 11th from 3 – 4 p.m. for a free Green Business Solutions webinar focused on Commercial Kitchen Food Waste Reduction. In this informational webinar, we will cover tips and tricks for food waste reduction in commercial kitchens, share case studies from local businesses who have implemented changes successfully, and leave you feeling empowered to begin making incremental shifts in your own practices.

Part Two of this two-part webinar series will include:

  • The importance of food waste reduction in commercial kitchens
  • The environmental and economic benefits for your business
  • Edible food recovery resources
  • Strategies to implementing lasting, sustainable practices
  • Tips for increasing employee and consumer engagement
  • Q&A session with a City of San Diego Environmental Services representative

Thank you to the City of San Diego for sponsoring this webinar. Register to receive the Zoom link. We’ll see you there!

If you can’t attend the live event, we’ve got you covered! Register and we will send you a recording of the webinar.

To take full advantage of this program, join us on Wednesday, May 4th from 3-4pm for Part One of this webinar series. This second event will detail organic waste recycling programs available in the City of San Diego. Please note you will need to register separately for each event. Register for Part One here.

The Story of Plastic: Screening and Moderated Discussion

Story of Plastic

The Story of Plastic: Screening and Moderated Discussion

The United Nations Association San Diego Chapter and I Love a Clean San Diego are hosting a virtual screening and moderated discussion of The Story of Plastic on July 3rd, a documentary about the real causes of the plastic pollution crisis and the heroes who are rising up to stop big plastic.

Stories and film have a unique ability to bridge divides and bring us together as part of something bigger than ourselves – to connect us and create empathy during perilous times. The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it.

To that end, we hope The Story of Stuff’s new film The Story of Plastic serves as a tool to foster connection, spark dialogue, and create action to reduce single use plastic in San Diego.

Click Here to watch the trailer!

Join us to put a stop to plastic pollution on July 3rd at 10:00 AM PDT

Celebrate Sustainably: Summer Fun Webinar

Poway Summer Webinar

Summer means longer days and warmer temperatures. This naturally leads to spending more time outdoors. Every summer, I Love A Clean San Diego collects thousands of pounds of waste from local beaches. As we celebrate outdoors this summer, how can we keep this waste out of our environment and put trash in its place?

Join I Love A Clean San Diego as we dive into sustainable habits for the summer! During this webinar, we’ll discuss:

  • How to have a low waste BBQ, picnic, or beach day
  • Zero waste and energy saving summer recipe ideas, including how to properly dispose of food waste in your green bin!
  • Environmentally friendly pool toys and beach supplies
  • Proper recycling and upcycling of materials from all of your summer activities

Our Celebrate Sustainably: Summer Fun webinar will take place on Wednesday, July 28th, from 4-5 p.m. Please register to receive the Zoom link. This webinar is in partnership with the City of Poway. We can’t wait to see you there!

Zero Waste Bathroom Webinar

Zero Waste Bathroom Webinar

Interested in reducing your waste, but unsure where to start? Join I Love A Clean San Diego on Tuesday, June 1st from 11am – 12pm for our free Zero Waste Bathroom webinar.

We’ll discuss bulk bathroom products, identify specific low-waste swaps, review how to recycle right, and share DIY recipes. Leave with the tools and ideas you need to live more sustainably and reduce what you’re sending to the landfill.

Please register to receive the Zoom link. Thank you to the City of San Diego for sponsoring this event. Can’t wait to see you there!

Este seminario web también se ofrece en español el 3 de junio

Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Tubes Recycling

Fluorescent tube Recycling

Fluorescent Light Bulbs and Tubes Recycling

Fluorescent light bulbs and light tubes are considered hazardous waste items because they contain a small amount of mercury which poses a danger if released into open air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) on average contain only about four milligrams of mercury, which might seem insignificant compared to 500 milligrams of mercury in older thermometers. However, they should still be disposed of properly in order to prevent any adverse effects on the environment and human health. Recycling of fluorescent light bulbs/tubes can also ensure that other materials of the bulb such as glass and metals are all reused.

Solana Center

The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation accepts fluorescent light bulbs, electronics and batteries for recycling at their facility at 137 N. El Camino Real in Encinitas. Drop offs are available on Thursdays from 12PM-5PM and Saturdays from 9AM-1PM.

Batteries Plus Bulbs 

Recycling your fluorescent light bulbs/tubes, batteries and electronics at Batteries Plus Bulbs is easy and convenient. Bring your items to the nearest store and they will then pass the items along to their recycling partners to repurpose salvageable materials. Be aware that fees may apply, so feel free to contact the store before you go to inquire about pricing.

EnviroGreen Electronic Recycling Services 

EnviroGreen accepts fluorescent light bulbs for recycling at a price of $1/bulb. They also accept batteries and appliances for a small fee, and electronics free of charge. EnviroGreen has a residential pickup service starting at $35 and a business pickup service starting at $65.

Universal Waste Disposal Company

Universal Waste Disposal Company offers fluorescent light bulb, batteries and electronics recycling services. Visit their website to get a free quote.

Home Depot

Certain Home Depots accept fluorescent light bulbs for recycling in store. Call your local Home Depot before you go to make sure they are currently accepting the CFLs.

Lowe’s 

Most Lowe’s stores offer a recycling center that accepts fluorescent light bulbs near the entrance. Call your local Lowe’s before you go to make sure they are currently accepting the CFLs.

Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities

If your fluorescent light bulb or light tube is broken, the only place that you would be able to take it to would be your local hazardous waste collection facility. Make sure you safely place the broken bulb/tube in a tightly sealed container. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find the location of your closest hazardous waste collection facility.

Bulbcycle 

Bulbcycle has a free mail-in program for businesses to recycle fluorescent light bulbs/tubes, batteries and electronics. Businesses can fill up different sized containers at their own pace and return the container to Bulbcycle within a year. This will not only help keep hazardous materials out of the landfill, but will also earn your company LEED points as well.

TechWaste Recycling

TechWaste Recycling offers nationwide business pickups for fluorescent light bulbs, fluorescent light tubes, batteries and electronics. Visit their website or call them to schedule a pickup.

6th Annual Zero Waste Fair

Zero Waste Fair

6th Annual Zero Waste Fair

I Love A Clean San Diego County and the City of Encinitas invite San Diego County residents to celebrate and learn about all things zero waste! Whether you are curious about what exactly zero waste means, or are actively working towards a low waste lifestyle, this unique event touches on a variety of topics and issues related to sustainability.

Although this year will be presented in a virtual format, special guests will join I Love A Clean San Diego and expand on helpful information delivered in many of our traditional workshops and webinars. We will dig deeper into common topics, explore new themes, and bring in local voices to further develop the discussion. Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, I Love A Clean San Diego’s Environmental Educators will guide attendees through half hour and quarter hour live segments. Join us for the 6th Annual Zero Waste Fair on Saturday, June 12th, from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM for a series of mini-segments covering everything from sustainable fashion to current environmental justice concerns.

No matter where you are on your sustainability journey, log on for the topics that inspire you. There is no need to commit to the full four-hour event. You are welcome to hop on and off at any time.

This Year’s Topics

  • Low-Waste Living
  • Composting
  • Recycling
  • Environmental Justice
  • Food Systems
  • New Technology for Organic Waste

Event Schedule

9:00 AM: I Love A Clean San Diego: Kick-Off

9:15 AM: City of Encinitas: Environmental Initiatives

9:30 AM: San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition: Environmental Justice in San Diego

10:00 AM: EDCO: Organics Recycling Through Anaerobic Digestion

10:30 AM: Solana Center: Feeding the Soil by Composting

11:00 AM: San Diego Food Systems Alliance: Solutions to Reducing Food Waste

11:30 AM: WasteFreeSD: Recycling, E-Waste, and Hazardous Waste Guidelines

12:00 PM: Acteevism: Sustainable Fashion Q&A

12:25 PM: The Zero Waste Family: Low Waste Living Q&A

Segments cover a range of topics and dive into local updates and complex issues. Stay up to date on the event by registering today.

A Zoom link will be provided with registration confirmation email. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover local resources and win sustainable prizes! Can’t wait to see you there!

Green Business Solutions: Commercial Kitchen Food Scraps Recycling

Green Business Solutions: Commercial Kitchen Food Scraps Recycling

Almost half of what we trash is compostable! To tackle this issue, the City of San Diego has commercial composting options and support available for businesses within the city. To learn more, join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego on Wednesday, May 26th from 3 – 4 p.m. for a free Green Business Solutions webinar focused on Commercial Kitchen Food Scraps Recycling.

In this informational webinar, we will detail upcoming organics recycling regulations and how to meet requirements. We’ll also share best practices from local businesses who have implemented changes successfully.

Part Two of this two-part webinar series will include:

  • The importance of food scrap recycling in commercial kitchens
  • Requirements for businesses to lower their waste production
  • Tools and strategies for successfully implementing a composting program through the City of San Diego’s Food Scraps Recycling Program
  • Q&A session with a City of San Diego Environmental Services representative

Thank you to the City of San Diego for sponsoring this webinar. Register to receive the Zoom link. We’ll see you there!

If you can’t attend the live event, we’ve got you covered! Register and we will send you a recording of the webinar.

To take full advantage of this program, join us on Wednesday, May 19th from 3-4pm for Part One of this webinar series. This first event will detail how to reduce organic waste in commercial kitchens. Please note you will need to register separately for each event. Register for Part One here.

 

Green Business Solutions: Commercial Kitchen Food Waste Reduction

Green Business Solutions: Commercial Kitchen Food Waste Reduction

Food waste is rampant in the U.S., costing us time, money, and resources ($162 billion annually!). It’s time for us all to trim unnecessary waste. As someone who works in a commercial kitchen, you have a big part to play, and we’re here to help guide you.

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the City of San Diego on Wednesday, May 19th from 3 – 4 p.m. for a free Green Business Solutions webinar focused on Commercial Kitchen Food Waste Reduction. In this informational webinar, we will cover tips and tricks for food waste reduction in commercial kitchens, share case studies from local businesses who have implemented changes successfully, and leave you feeling empowered to begin making incremental shifts in your own practices.

Part One of this two-part webinar series will include:

  • The importance of food waste reduction in commercial kitchens
  • The environmental and economic benefits for your business
  • Edible food recovery resources
  • Strategies to implementing lasting, sustainable practices
  • Tips for increasing employee and consumer engagement
  • Q&A session with a City of San Diego Environmental Services representative

Thank you to the City of San Diego for sponsoring this webinar. Register to receive the Zoom link. We’ll see you there!

If you can’t attend the live event, we’ve got you covered! Register and we will send you a recording of the webinar.

To take full advantage of this program, join us on Wednesday, May 26th from 3-4pm for Part Two of this webinar series. This second event will detail organics recycling programs available in the City of San Diego. Please note you will need to register separately for each event. Register for Part Two here.

Step Up Your Sustainability Webinar

5.1 Step Up Your Sustainability Webinar

Step Up Your Sustainability Webinar

You’ve mastered remembering reusable bags at the grocery store, you’ve fine-tuned your meal planning to eliminate food waste, and your reusable water bottle is like a new appendage, always at your side. What’s next in leveling up your sustainable lifestyle? Join I Love A Clean San Diego as we dive into sustainable habits in niche areas of your life, namely pets, hobbies, and how to avoid greenwashing. During this webinar, we’ll discuss:

  • How to find low waste options for pet food, toys, and more
  • Where to take items from hobbies we’ve left behind, and how to create waste free habits in your current hobbies
  • How to avoid greenwashing and what to look for when shopping new brands

Our Step Up Your Sustainability webinar will take place on Saturday, May 1st, from 10-11am. Please register to receive the Zoom link. Thank you to the City of Encinitas for sponsoring this event. We can’t wait to see you there!

Cooking Up Change: Zero Waste Cooking Demo with Kitchens for Good

Cooking Up Change: Zero Waste Cooking Demo with Kitchens for Good

Did you know that 40% of the food grown, processed, and transported in the U.S. currently goes to waste? Join I Love A Clean San Diego and Kitchens for Good on Thursday, May 13th from 5:30-6:30 pm for a free, zero waste cooking demonstration! Come hungry to learn about reducing food waste and getting creative in the kitchen. Attendees are encouraged to gather ingredients and cook some arancini with radish top pesto along with Chef Ryan Rizzuto, Kitchens for Good Production Chef and Owner of Southside Biscuits.

Kitchens for Good is a local, nonprofit organization that works to equip individuals with culinary and hospitality training, as well as to prepare thousands of healthy meals for hungry residents using surplus and cosmetically imperfect produce.

Please register to receive the recipe card and Zoom link. Thank you to the Escondido Community Foundation for sponsoring this event. Can’t wait to see you there!