Sunset Sweep: Swan Canyon Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego, San Diego Canyonlands, and Think Blue San Diego for a litter cleanup in Swan Canyon! We will divert litter from the San Diego Bay Watershed and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.

Our staff will be set-up with a check-in table at the Menlo Mini Park. Join us at 4pm to learn about the canyon and recycling right, then grab supplies and help us clean up!

This event requires a signed release-of-liability waiver for all volunteers, and anyone under 18 needs a waiver signed by a guardian.

Watershed Warriors: Valley Center Community Cleanup

Watershed Warriors

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup in Valley Center! We will divert litter from traveling through the San Luis Rey watershed.

You can participate in this cleanup in 2 ways: In-person with us at our meeting location, or remotely in your neighborhood. Here are some ground rules:

In-Person Cleanups: Our staff will be set-up with a check-in table, disposable supplies, and plenty of hand sanitizer at this cleanup meeting location (see address in Shift #1).

  • Join us there at 9am for a brief kick-off, sign a liability waiver, grab some disposable supplies, and help us clean up the area!
  • We can sort, weigh, and dispose of the litter you collect, and when you are finished you can request a Letter of Appreciation through your Community Hub dashboard.
  • Our in-person cleanups are limited to 25 volunteers, and we ask that you give other volunteers 6+ ft. of space and wear a mask if you are unvaccinated.

You can sign up for the in-person cleanup below in Shift #1. Please register to receive important preparation details via e-mail.

Remote Cleanups: If you are not able to join us in-person, join us remotely! Pick-up litter around your neighborhood Saturday morning and report your totals online.

  • When you sign-up we will e-mail you resources so you can watch our kick-off video before you start your cleanup. Grab some reusable gloves and a bucket from around your house and go for a walk somewhere you want to make an impact.
  • Invite some friends to make it a neighborhood effort, and sort and dispose of litter in your household bins. Take a few photos and write down your litter totals.
  • When you are all done, report your litter totals in our Volunteer Impact Map so we can verify your service, and go to your Community Hub dashboard to receive a Letter of Appreciation.
  • Please give other volunteers 6+ ft. of space and wear a mask if you are unvaccinated.

You can sign up for the remote cleanup below in Shift #2. Please register to receive important preparation details via e-mail.

DISCLAIMER: By participating in a cleanup, you agree I Love A Clean San Diego is NOT responsible for any injury suffered and you waive any claim arising from participation in the event.

I agree to read and follow all of the safety protocols for this event.

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

Morning After Mess – Beach Cleanup 2021

Morning After Mess

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County for a litter cleanup the morning after July 4th around Mission Beach Park in San Diego. We will pick-up post-party beach litter from and divert it from the Pacific Ocean.

This cleanup is virtually-hosted; we are not gathering together, but we will have a staging table at Mission Beach Park on the morning of July 5. you can swing by and say hi, grab some disposable supplies, and walk around picking up litter. If you join us at the beach we can help you dispose of collected litter and you can help us contribute to community-based science by completing a tracking sheet of what you found.

Do you live far from the beach, or would rather stay close-to-home? We got you covered! You can participate in this cleanup virtually from your neighborhood or location of choice. Invite your neighbors and practice social distancing. Bring a bucket and gardening gloves from home, and wear your face-covering. You can make this cleanup zero-waste by using your own supplies!

Watch the kick-off video you get in your e-mail, then clean up in the neighborhood and use your household cans for disposal. Afterwards, log your totals and request a Letter of Appreciation for your service – it’s that easy!

Register now to receive e-mail resources and event details.

DISCLAIMER: By participating in a cleanup, you agree I Love A Clean San Diego is NOT responsible for any injury suffered and you waive any claim arising from participation in the event.
I agree to read and follow all of the safety protocols for this event.

 

Zero Waste Cleanup Kits! Volunteer Opportunity

Drop in the Bucket Cleanup Kit

Zero Waste Cleanup Kits! – Help us clean out buckets and label buckets and grabbers

Support I Love A Clean San Diego in prepping zero waste cleanup kits! Ditch those single use plastics for a lifetime of zero waste cleanups!

I Love A Clean San Diego is offering the gift of zero waste! Donate $30 to our Drop in the Bucket program and receive an I Love A Clean San Diego cleanup kit as a thank you gift! Continue to use the cleanup kits for cleanups in your local neighborhood and our hosted community cleanups! Replace single use plastic bags with a reusable bucket and grabber that can be used again and again.

Volunteers will help clean out buckets, label buckets and litter grabbers to get these cleanup kits ready to go for our San Diego Community!

Volunteers will prep cleanup kits outdoors and social distancing will be observed at all times. Masks are required for all participating volunteers.

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!

Watershed Warriors: Mt. Helix Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Mt. Helix community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Diego Bay watershed and Pacific Ocean.

These cleanups are currently virtually-hosted; we are not gathering or meeting in a specific location. Instead, you can do a fun and flexible cleanup on your terms. While we are targeting this specific community, you are welcome to clean up wherever and with whomever you feel comfortable.

Invite your neighbors and practice social distancing. Bring a bucket and gardening gloves from home, and wear your face-covering. You can make this cleanup zero-waste by using your own supplies!

Watch the kick-off video you get in your e-mail, then clean up in the neighborhood and use your household cans for disposal. Afterwards, log your totals and request a Letter of Appreciation for your service – it’s that easy!

Register now to receive e-mail resources and event details.

Watershed Warriors: Spring Valley Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Spring Valley community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Diego Bay watershed and Pacific Ocean.

These cleanups are currently virtually-hosted; we are not gathering or meeting in a specific location. Instead, you can do a fun and flexible cleanup on your terms. While we are targeting this specific community, you are welcome to clean up wherever and with whomever you feel comfortable.

Invite your neighbors and practice social distancing. Bring a bucket and gardening gloves from home, and wear your face-covering. You can make this cleanup zero-waste by using your own supplies!

Watch the kick-off video you get in your e-mail, then clean up in the neighborhood and use your household cans for disposal. Afterwards, log your totals and request a Letter of Appreciation for your service – it’s that easy!

Register now to receive e-mail resources and event details.

Watershed Warriors: Casa De Oro Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Casa De Oro community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Diego Bay watershed and Pacific Ocean.

These cleanups are currently virtually-hosted; we are not gathering or meeting in a specific location. Instead, you can do a fun and flexible cleanup on your terms. While we are targeting this specific community, you are welcome to clean up wherever and with whomever you feel comfortable.

Invite your neighbors and practice social distancing. Bring a bucket and gardening gloves from home, and wear your face-covering. You can make this cleanup zero-waste by using your own supplies!

Watch the kick-off video you get in your e-mail, then clean up in the neighborhood and use your household cans for disposal. Afterwards, log your totals and request a Letter of Appreciation for your service – it’s that easy!

Register now to receive e-mail resources and event details.