Spring is in full swing! In San Diego, that means basking in the sun on our beaches and bays to celebrate Memorial Day! All of that fun and sun can also bring an increased amount of trash to our beautiful city. Join ILACSD and the Clean Beach Coalition to ensure our beaches stay clean over the long holiday weekends. Help ILACSD assemble temporary trash and recycling bins that will be placed across San Diego beaches and bays to encourage beach-goers to properly dispose of their items throughout the busy Memorial Day weekend. Join us in keeping our beaches clean!
All of our volunteers are required to fill out two waiver forms and anyone under the age of 18 needs both waivers signed by their parent or guardian. For this opportunity, all volunteers must be 16 years of age or over to participate.
If you are interested in participating, please email Natalia at nking@cleanSD.org to sign up!
Big news out of San Diego recently hit the recycling world. Zheng Chen, an assistant professor and nano-engineer from UCSD has developed a new method to recycle lithium-ion batteries. More specifically, according to a report by the San Diego Union Tribune, “He has developed a way to recycle used cathodes from spent lithium-ion batteries and restore them to the point that they work as good as new.” Considering those cathodes contain cobalt, a rare earth metal with a finite supply, this type of recycling has a momentous impact on the future of the tech world, most notably electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries that use rare earth metals like cobalt that have a finite supply.
So what does this mean for you? Well, maybe you saw an article headline and figured you can start tossing your lithium-ion batteries into your blue bin (false!). Or maybe you’re confused because you thought you already recycled all of your batteries. While the energy in the battery itself may not be reusable (at a large scale just yet), the materials themselves are 100% recyclable. With lithium-ion batteries powering many cell phones, laptops, power tools, and other electronics, it is likely we all have a few of these floating around our home. However, according to Chen, less than 3% of lithium-ion batteries around the world are recycled. For that reason, it’s important for us all to have accurate information on the proper way to handle these batteries at the end of their lifespan. We enlisted our friends over at Universal Waste Disposal Company to help us give you the low down on recycling lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, but even rechargeable batteries have a lifespan. Once a lithium-ion battery is completely spent or degraded, it should be properly stored until it is able to be recycled. While you cannot simply recycle these in your blue bin, according to California Law (AB1125) most retailers that sell rechargeable batteries are required to accept and recycle these consumer batteries. If you prefer a drop off option, you can check with local retailers to find one that accepts lithium-ion batteries. For pick up recycling services, businesses like UWDC specialize in universal waste recycling.
Until you are able to recycle your lithium-ion batteries, it is extremely important to store them properly. You’ve probably heard stories of cell phones exploding or catching fire. This is related to the battery within the phone. When lithium-ion batteries “catch fire” or “explode” they are experiencing thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is essentially a chemical reaction inside the battery producing heat that causes additional chemical reactions that result in increasing heat until there is nothing left to react. So be very cautious if your device begins smoking, sizzling or popping. Stay alert! Lithium-ion battery packs typically contain several cells. If your device does catch fire, even though one cell may be extinguished, the residual heat may cause thermal runaway in the adjacent cells.
The number of lithium-ion batteries that are recycled is very low since they are housed inside of many devices. The batteries commonly remain in our homes when the old device gets tucked away in a drawer or storage space.
Thermal runaway can be the result of design flaws (inadequate venting, poor chemistry, inadequate safety features), user damage (dropping, crushing, puncturing), improper packaging or storage, or improper charging (wrong charger, cheap chargers, overcharging). To prevent thermal runaway, proper care and storage are key. While the battery is still in use, keep them out of the heat and freezing temperatures, use the charger that came with the lithium-ion powered device, keep them dry, and avoid overcharging them. When your batteries are at the end of their life, make sure to store them at room temperature. Tape over the terminals so that they do not make contact with each other.
The future of the environment is our responsibility and in this case, it’s the law.Batteries of all types must be recycled. Please be sure to locate an authorized battery recycler in your area to properly recycle your used batteries.
EDCO, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), and the County of San Diego Departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation are hosting a FREE Tire Collection Event. Bring your tires, scrap metal, appliances, and green waste to properly dispose of at this collection day! This free service for community residents will be offered from 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Lindo Lake Park located at 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside, CA 92040.
Tire Requirements:
Passenger vehicle tires only.
No tires from businesses.
Tires must be reasonably clean of dirt.
Only 9 tires per vehicle.
A limited number of tires with rims will be accepted.
Call 1-877-713-2784 to request pre-approval for tires with rims and loads of more than 9 tires.
Green Waste
Self-unload only.
Accepted materials: Tree limbs, plant and grass clippings, leaves, & untreated wood.
NO trash. NO bags.
NO treated wood. NO rootballs.
Free mulch for residents: self-load only.
Scrap Metal & Appliances
Accepted materials: Metals, appliances, metal car parts
For more information or for preapproval call: 1-877-R-1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784) Se Habla Español
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE is unused or leftover portions of products containing toxic chemicals used to maintain your residence. Products labeled Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable or Corrosive are considered hazardous.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE INCLUDES:
AEROSOLS
ALL PURPOSE CLEANERS
ANTIFREEZE
AUTO BATTERIES
AUTO FLUIDS
DISINFECTANTS
GASOLINE (w/container)
LIGHTER FLUID
USED OIL/OIL FILTERS
LATEX / OIL-BASED PAINT
PESTICIDES
POOL CHEMICALS
SOLVENTS
EMPTY CONTAINERS: Empty containers can go into the trash or be recycled.
ELECTRONIC WASTE INCLUDES:
COMPUTER/T.V. MONITORS
CELLULAR & CORDLESS PHONES
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNITS (CPUs)
PRINTERS AND SCANNERS
STEREO EQUIPMENT
VCRs AND DVD PLAYERS
FAX MACHINES
MISC. COMPUTER COMPONENTS
FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
COMMON BATTERIES (AA, AAA, C, D, AND BUTTON)
TIRES:
Limit 9 passenger vehicle tires per trip.
Tires must be reasonably clean.
No tractor/commercial tires.
No tires on rims will be accepted without pre-approval.
Call 1-877-R-1-EARTH for pre-approval or for loads of more than 9 tires.
Transportation Requirements:
Leave products in the existing container, if possible. Make sure lids are on tight so containers will not leak. Transport containers in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers and pets. Do not transport over 15 gallons or 125 pounds at one time. Containers used for transport must be no larger than a 5-gallon bucket.
Home generated “sharps” including syringes and lancets will be collected during this event. Please transport in closed rigid containers.
The County of San Diego in collaboration with O’Reilly Auto Parts will be holding a free Oil FIlter Exchange Event on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the O’Reilly Auto Parts locations listed below.
Bring in a used oil filter and receive a new one free of charge! Free offer valid only during the event date and time at the following locations.
Locations:
O’Reilly Auto Parts | 1935 Main Street (Highway 67) Ramona, CA 92065 | (760) 789-7109
O’Reilly Auto Parts | 8375 Paradise Valley Road Spring Valley, CA 91977 | (619) 479-0198
O’Reilly Auto Parts | 10050 Campo Road Spring Valley, CA 91977 | (619) 670-5888
O’Reilly Auto Parts | 9732 Winter Gardens Boulevard, Lakeside, CA 92040 | (619) 561-3966
O’Reilly Auto Parts | 812 South Main Street, Fallbrook, CA 92028 | (760) 723-1109
LIMIT 1 FREE FILTER PER PERSON.
LIMIT 5 GALLONS USED OIL PER DAY, PER PERSON.
As many of us at ILACSD know, one of the biggest barriers to getting folks to recycle is a lack of education on what is recyclable and how easy it can be! With seemingly constant changes to the items that can or cannot go into a blue bin, residents are often left feeling a little confused. Today, let’s take a moment to talk about the right way to deal with an electronic waste item that might cause some confusion: hard drives!
Inside every computer is a hard drive containing important, often sensitive information.
As many individuals and businesses understand, hard drives house loads of confidential and sensitive information. While it is very important to recycle or donate our e-waste items like computers, it can be frightening to think of our important, private information ending up in the wrong hands. Luckily, there is an option to help you responsibly recycle your e-waste items and securely destroy your data all at once: hard drive shredding!
Hard drive shredding destroys your confidential information and allows the scrap metal to be recycled!
Our friends over at Universal Waste Disposal Company offer this data destruction service through their Black Belt Data Destruction program. Black Belt Data Destruction is a mail-in hard drive shredding service developed specifically for small businesses, large corporations, government entities, AND everyday consumers. They offer various pricing options for this recycling service dependent on your personal needs and even offer bulk discounts.
How It Works:
When you purchase a Black Belt Data Destruction Kit, your old hard drive can be mailed-in using the provided tamper-proof sealed envelope. Once discretely packaged hard drives arrive, they are destroyed using state-of-the-art shredding technology to cut hard drives into tiny pieces recognized only as scrap metal and circuit board.
To ensure your sensitive data is properly destroyed, each kit comes standard with Certificate of Destruction and an encrypted video recording detailing the process from start to finish. With the Premium HDD Kit, you can even join a private live feed at the time of your choosing to watch as it takes place. The entire process lasts 2-3 minutes.
A Safe and Sustainable Solution
Whether you’re an individual or you run the IT department at a business, it is natural to want a sense of security when it comes to our confidential information. Hard drive shredding services like Black Belt Data Destruction can offer that peace of mind. On top of that, by utilizing this service, scrap metal is able to be recovered and recycled to help cut down on the demand for virgin materials. With the high demand and production of electronics, we are constantly seeing innovative ways to reuse, reduce, and recycle our e-waste. With hard drive shredding, we can responsibly recycle e-waste with confidence that our privacy is being protected!
The City of Vista in collaboration with AutoZone will be holding a free Oil Filter Exchange Event on Saturday, April 20, 2019, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the AutoZone located at 573 W. Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083.
Bring in a used oil filter and receive a new one free of charge! Free offer valid only during the event date and time at the location listed above.
LIMIT 1 FREE FILTER PER PERSON.
LIMIT 5 GALLONS USED OIL PER DAY, PER PERSON.
The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health is holding a FREE household hazardous waste collection event at Bonsall Community Center located at 31505 Old River Road, Bonsall, CA 92003 on Saturday, January 6, 2018, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. This event is open to all residents living in unincorporated parts of the county.
Transportation Requirements:
Leave products in the existing container, if possible. Make sure lids are on tight so the containers will not leak. Transport containers in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers and pets. Do not transport over 15 gallons or 125 pounds at one time. Containers used for transport must be no larger than a 5-gallon bucket.
Home generated “sharps” including syringes and lancets will be collected during this event. Please transport in closed rigid containers.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE INCLUDES:
AEROSOLS
ALL PURPOSE CLEANERS
ANTIFREEZE
AUTO BATTERIES
AUTO FLUIDS
DISINFECTANTS
GASOLINE (w/container)
LIGHTER FLUID
USED OIL/OIL FILTERS
LATEX / OIL-BASED PAINT
PESTICIDES
POOL CHEMICALS
SOLVENTS
EMPTY CONTAINERS: Empty containers can go into the trash or be recycled.
ELECTRONIC WASTE INCLUDES:
COMPUTER/T.V. MONITORS
CELLULAR & CORDLESS PHONES
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNITS (CPUs)
PRINTERS AND SCANNERS
STEREO EQUIPMENT
VCRs AND DVD PLAYERS
FAX MACHINES
MISC. COMPUTER COMPONENTS
FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
COMMON BATTERIES (AA, AAA, C, D, AND BUTTON)
Not Accepted:
Business waste, tires, ammunition, explosive and radioactive material, medications, air conditioners, or large appliances.
As many of us at ILACSD know, one of the biggest barriers to getting folks to recycle is a lack of education on what is recyclable and how easy it can be! What might seem like constant changes to the items that can or cannot go into a blue bin often leave residents feeling a little confused. So today, let’s take a moment to talk about the right way to recycle an item that has had a few recent changes to it around the county…Polystyrene foam.
First off, what is polystyrene foam? Polystyrene foam materials are often (mistakenly) referred to as Styrofoam. Examples of foam include foam cups, food containers, egg or meat trays, as well as large molded blocks used to package electronics, such as TVs and computers. These foam materials are not only recyclable, but once they are properly processed, the material can be turned into other products such as decorative baseboards, picture frames, and pencils.
Foam Recycling by Territory:
City of San Diego: Many communities throughout the region have been able to place some polystyrene material (block packaging) in recycling bins. As of July 1, 2017, Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the entire City Council voted to expand foam recycling capabilities to include all foam food and drink containers to be recycled in residential curbside recycling bins as well. This means that citizens in the City of San Diego that have residential curbside recycling can recycle – with ease and convenience – even more materials.
City of SD residents can recycle food service foam containers in their curbside blue bin.
County of San Diego – Unincorporated Areas: As of now, San Diego residents living in unincorporated areas can easily recycle the block foam from product packaging in their curbside recycling. Recycling foam food containers, cups, trays, etc. for unincorporated residents can vary depending on the waste hauler. Residents who are unsure can contact their specific hauler to confirm if they accept these items.
Solana Beach and Encinitas: A few cities around the region have increased regulations for Polystyrene foam, but what does that mean for recycling? In Solana Beach and Encinitas, you won’t find Polystyrene foam to-go containers or cups around shops and restaurants, and waste haulers in these areas do not accept foam food service containers in curbside recycling. However, foam packaging blocks are still accepted in your blue bin in these cities.
Foam Recycling by Type:
Foam Cups and Food Service Containers: Once you’ve confirmed that foam cup and food service containers are accepted in curbside blue bins where you live, recycling them is a breeze. Just like other recyclable food packaging, foam food containers just need to be wiped of food residue and can be placed on your curbside receptacle.
Foam packaging blocks are accepted in curbside recycling bins throughout all of San Diego County.
Foam Packaging Blocks: Foam packaging blocks might be the easiest polystyrene product to recycle across the board. These foam blocks are accepted in curbside recycling bins throughout all of San Diego County!
Foam Packing Peanuts: Packing peanuts can be made from a variety of materials and contaminate the recycled Polystyrene foam. Due to this fact, packing peanuts are not recyclable. The best way to divert foam packing peanuts from the landfill is to reuse them or donate them for reuse. Many local pack and ship stores gladly accept foam packing peanuts free of charge. Use the WasteFreeSD.org search bar to find a nearby shipping store to donate unwanted packing supplies.
Packing Peanuts are not recyclable. Reuse or donate your packing peanuts to a local shipping store.
Traditionally, there were just a few items that could be recycled curbside such as newspapers, aluminum cans, and some bottles. However, as a result of millions of dollars in R&D from manufacturers and innovative problem-solvers, today we are able to recycle more types of material than ever before. This is exciting as recycling is allowing us to reduce waste in our landfills that will benefit our children and future generations as we work to maintain our beautiful community.
The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health is holding a FREE household hazardous waste collection event at Ingold Sports Park located at 2551 Olive Hill Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 on Sunday, January 21, 2018, from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. This event is open to all residents living in unincorporated parts of the county.
Transportation Requirements:
Leave products in the existing container, if possible. Make sure lids are on tight so the containers will not leak. Transport containers in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers and pets. Do not transport over 15 gallons or 125 pounds at one time. Containers used for transport must be no larger than a 5-gallon bucket.
Home generated “sharps” including syringes and lancets will be collected during this event. Please transport in closed rigid containers.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE INCLUDES:
AEROSOLS
ALL PURPOSE CLEANERS
ANTIFREEZE
AUTO BATTERIES
AUTO FLUIDS
DISINFECTANTS
GASOLINE (w/container)
LIGHTER FLUID
USED OIL/OIL FILTERS
LATEX / OIL-BASED PAINT
PESTICIDES
POOL CHEMICALS
SOLVENTS
EMPTY CONTAINERS: Empty containers can go into the trash or be recycled.
ELECTRONIC WASTE INCLUDES:
COMPUTER/T.V. MONITORS
CELLULAR & CORDLESS PHONES
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNITS (CPUs)
PRINTERS AND SCANNERS
STEREO EQUIPMENT
VCRs AND DVD PLAYERS
FAX MACHINES
MISC. COMPUTER COMPONENTS
FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
COMMON BATTERIES (AA, AAA, C, D, AND BUTTON)
Not Accepted:
Business waste, tires, ammunition, explosive and radioactive material, medications, air conditioners, or large appliances.
