Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the San Diego River Park Foundation for a litter cleanup around the San Diego River! We will divert litter from the San Diego River Watershed and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.
This event requires a signed release-of-liability waiver for all volunteers, and anyone under 18 needs a waiver signed by a guardian.
Join I Love A Clean San Diego, the Spring Valley Community Alliance, and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup in Spring Valley! 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 Lamar County Park. Join us at 8am for a talk by our Education Team about our watersheds 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.
Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup in Sweetwater! We will divert litter from the Sweetwater Regional Park Trail and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean.
Our staff will be set-up with a check-in table at Sweetwater Regional Park’s Morrison Pond Area. Join us at 9am for a talk by our Education Team about our watersheds 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.
Among other benefits over fake trees, real Christmas trees can be composted or turned into mulch and returned to the earth. Trees sprayed with fake snow (flocked) trees cannot be composted.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY (Dec. 15, 2021) – Cut or living Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly than plastic trees. Selecting the real deal reduces the use of toxic materials and fossil fuels to produce their lifelike counterparts. Moreover, real trees can be returned to the earth as mulch or through composting, which returns valuable nutrients to the earth, reduces landfill space and greenhouse gas emissions.
For this year’s Christmas tree collection, the County of San Diego and I Love A Clean San Diego make it easy for residents to recycle their real Christmas trees. The countywide Christmas Tree Recycling Guide at WasteFreeSD.org, has a 2021 listing for curbside and drop-off locations in the region.
According to the EPA, organic materials like Christmas trees, food, and yard clippings are the number one material sent to landfills, composing two-thirds of the solid waste stream. In California, state law (SB 1383) is here to change that. It will require the recycling of Christmas trees as well as other organic waste-food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings and non-hazardous wood waste (i.e. lumber, pallets, etc.). To learn more, contact your local city or county and/or waste and recycling hauler about organic waste recycling in your area.
Before a tree is turned into mulch or composted, follow some simple tips to ensure they can be fully recycled.
Christmas Tree Recycling Tips
About I Love A Clean San Diego
Founded in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego is an environmental nonprofit supporting residents and businesses of San Diego County through youth and adult education, and local action through impactful volunteer events and workshops. As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love A Clean San Diego’s programs are an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action to empower everyone to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living. Our community is passion in action to maintain and improve the health of the home we love. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit CleanSD.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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 traveling through the San Diego Bay 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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
WasteFreeSD.org provides solutions for residents looking to recycle, reuse, donate or properly dispose of just about anything.
Did you know the team at WasteFreeSD.org (WFSD) assisted nearly 30,000 San Diego County residents in 2020 through its online waste diversion database and free hotline? And, each year, the number of people looking for advice on how to recycle, reuse, donate or properly dispose of unwanted household goods grows. This resource powered by environmental nonprofit I Love A Clean San Diego, in partnership with the County of San Diego, is a unique regional solution dedicated to recycling and preventing hazardous waste and many common household items from entering the landfill and the environment.
In 2020, resident inquiries increased 56 percent when compared to 2019. I Love A Clean San Diego assumes more people had time at home during the pandemic to clean out their homes, resulting in more questions about appropriate disposal of common household items. More importantly, it appears more county residents are looking for ways to keep waste out of the landfill.
The top ten list of inquiries from residents in the past year provides insight into the types of materials our region has questions about and helps others know there are solutions to their questions.
“Judging by the increasing number of phone calls and hits to our database, we know residents care about doing the right thing for the environment. However, there are still many more who don’t know where to go for information,” said Len Hering Executive Director of I Love A Clean San Diego. “We want all San Diegans to know there are answers to their questions about what should be done with the toaster that no longer works, half-full paint cans, batteries and electronics, broken appliances and that couch that is no longer wanted or in need of repair.”
Some of the Top 10 items like household appliances, electronics (e-waste), household goods and textiles, cannot be placed in the recycle bin, but can still be recycled. WFSD can help point to donation and recycling options for these materials and others.
WFSD is also a great resource for upcycling or repurposing used items. For example, an old mobile phone may no longer work but companies like Apple and Best Buy offer takeback programs where the phones and other e-waste are recycled, dismantled for parts, and then upcycled into new phones or other products.
Unwanted items may also be classified as hazardous waste.
According to the EPA, household hazardous waste or HHWs are products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances. These products, such as paints, household cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides come with warning labels. Products that contain corrosive, toxic, or flammable ingredients require special care.
Questions about warning labels and other HHW can be answered quickly and WFSD can assist in finding facilities and appointments to help people dispose of the items properly.
The WasteFreeSD.org team is eager to help inform more of the region’s communities and continuously researches resources to keep up to date on the latest low waste resources in the region. The R1-EARTH (1-877-713-2784) hotline staff offer friendly customer service and are open to assist with live consultations between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday (except Holidays)
Dispose of your old mattress at the San Diego County Mattress Recycling Event Saturday, June 26 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Morse High School.
Morse High School
6905 Skyline Dr.
San Diego, CA 92114
Join I Love A Clean San Diego, San Diego Canyonlands, and Think Blue San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Manzanita Canyon neighborhood! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the canyons 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. If you choose to join us physically in this community, we will have a staging table in the community. You can stop by to say hi and grab some disposable supplies, and clean up nearby.
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.
The City of Vista is having an Oil Filter Recycling Event! Bring your used filter to the AutoZone at 1410 N Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA on Saturday, May 1st from 10am to 2pm and get a new filter FREE!
Limit 5 gallons used oil per day, per person.
Free filter offer valid only during the specified date, time, and location above.
Face coverings and social distancing required to participate.
