Step Up Your Sustainability Webinar

Whether you’re just starting out on your zero waste journey or you’re looking to level up your sustainable lifestyle, join I Love A Clean San Diego on Wednesday, January 25th from 5pm-6pm for our free Step Up Your Sustainability webinar! You’ll leave with the knowledge you need to know how to create sustainable habits in your current routines, how to repurpose old items with new uses, and how to properly dispose of the waste you do produce! More specifically:

 

  • Eco-friendly product swaps
  • DIY recipes
  • How to compost without an outdoor space
  • Low waste habits for pets, hobbies, and your home

 

Please register to receive the Zoom link. A recording of the webinar and resources will be shared to all registrants after the event, so we encourage you to register even if the event timing doesn’t work for your schedule. We can’t wait to see you virtually on January 25th! Thank you to the County of San Diego for sponsoring this event.

Zero Waste Parenting Tips and Tricks Webinar

Trashcan overflowing? Raising kids can produce a LOT of waste, but we can help!

Register today for I Love A Clean San Diego’s upcoming free webinar, Zero Waste Parenting Tips and Tricks, on Wednesday, October 26th, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. We will focus on the importance of involving children in decision making surrounding sustainable choices and emphasizing our connection to the planet. From infants to teens, we’ll share how to integrate low-waste habits into daily routines in achievable ways, including toys, snacks, birthday parties, activities, and school supplies.

We will be joined by guest speaker and zero waste parenting expert Fredrika Syren! Syren is a San Diego local, mother of three, and author of “A Practical Guide to Zero Waste for Families”.

Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Thank you to the City of Encinitas for funding and partnering with us to offer this webinar. We can’t wait to see you there!

What to do with all those old batteries?

Keep Batteries Out of Bins!

Batteries and products that contain batteries cannot be disposed of in trash or recycling bins. Batteries that enter are waste stream pose a significant safety threat because they are responsible for rising occurrences of fires and environmental contamination. 

Batteries are considered as hazardous wastes under the category of universal wastes in California because of the materials they are made from. Acids, lead, nickel, lithium and mercury to name a few are dangerous and toxic. When batteries are subjected to the heat, pressure, an machinery of a garbage or recycling truck or become punctured or pierced by waste sorting machinery, they can spark and ignite a fire. 

Additionally, the dangerous and toxic components of batteries will leach into the environment when not disposed of properly. This not only contaminates the soil and water systems, but have the potential to affect our health and well-being through accumulation in wildlife and the food we eat.

TYPES OF BATTERIES 

AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, rechargeable batteries, single batteries, car batteries, motorcycle batteries, scooter batteries, e-cigarette and vape batteries.

RECYCLING BATTERIES

Battery Recycling is becoming increasingly more safe, convenient and accessible. On September 19, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Responsible Battery Recycle Act of 2022 and Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003: covered battery-embedded products. When in effect, these two laws will increase the number of battery collection sites throughout California. 

Here’s where you can recycle batteries in San Diego: 

  • Libraries: 14 county libraries in San Diego accept standard alkaline batteries, drop them off in the drop-off bin inside
  • O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Store: Most O’Reilly’s recycle household batteries as well as lead acid automotive batteries. Remember to call before you go to make sure your local O’Reilly’s are accepting batteries for recycling
  • Many electronic stores in San Diego can take batteries for recycling. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find a store near you
  • Household Hazardous Waste Facilities: Hazardous waste facilities accept all types of batteries. Always bring damaged batteries to HHW facilities. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find out which facility you can go to
  • The Big Green Box: An easy and convenient 3-step process to dispose of all types of batteries (excluding automotive batteries) – purchase a box, fill the box, ship the box. The company Retriev Technologies then uses a diverse array of technologies to ensure each battery component is recovered in the most environmentally sound way possible
  • Battery Solutions: Similar to The Big Green Box – purchase a box, fill the box, ship the box. They offer different container sizes to suit the needs of not only regular households but industries as well

TO FIND A BATTERY COLLECTION SITE NEAR YOU, VISIT WasteFreeSD.Org

BATTERY STORAGE 

  • Store household batteries in their original packaging so they are out of contact with other batteries. 
  • Make sure the batteries are stored with all the positive ends facing the same direction. 
  • Avoid storing batteries with metal objects because contact can cause batteries to short circuit and lead to leakage. 
  • Do not ever mix damaged batteries with other batteries. This again could result in short circuiting and cause fires or worse explosions. 
  • If batteries are leaking, handle them with care by wearing gloves, then place them in a clear plastic bag to be transported to your local hazardous waste collection facility. 
  • For  extra step safety, you could place the bag in non-flammable material such as sand or kitty litter.

Morning After Mess Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego for a litter cleanup at Fiesta Island! We are partnering with Surfrider San Diego to clean up around Mission Bay after the celebratory July 4th weekend.

Our staff will be set-up with a check-in table at Fiesta Sunset Beach. Join us at 9am to 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.

How to Host a Clothing Swap Party

How to Host a Swap Party

What if there is a way to obtain new items while still being environmentally friendly? What if I told you that you can now go shopping for free? Welcome to SWAP Parties.

What’s a swap party?

  • Swap parties have been growing in popularity and offer an alternative in the way we acquire items for ourselves and our household.
  • Swaps are meet ups where people can bring in second-hand items that they own and exchange them with other items that other people bring at no cost.
  • Beyond being economical, eco-friendly, and an excuse to clean out your closet, a swap party with friends is far more fun than a yard sale with strangers.
  • By participating in a swap, you are helping to conserve natural resources, reduce the environmental footprint of producing new goods, and building community.

How to start

  • Set a theme – A swap party can be for clothing, toys, housewares, pet supplies, books, DVDs – anything you can think of! Decide on the type items that will be collected and exchanged.
  • Pick a space – Find a location that will give enough space for people to sort through items. Friendly Tip, adding clothing racks and full body mirrors will help you stay organized.
  • Gather friends and their excess stuff – For this sustainable get-together, people need to participate and show up with items that can be exchanged! Encourage guests to bring new friends to ensure there are plenty of quality things to trade.
  • Send out e-invitations! There are plenty of services for electronic invitations that are an upgrade from sending a text. Check out Paperless Post, Green Envelope, and eVite.
  • Host your swap at the end of the season when people are cleaning out their closets and looking for new pieces to freshen up their wardrobes.

Tricks of the Trade

  • Be clear about what’s swap-worthy. Ask friends to bring clean goods in gently used condition. Set standards of what will and will not be accepted. Be clear that items with stains, holes, rips or odors should be avoided.
  • Organize the Set Up of the Swap. To help people find what they want, sort items into areas based on type of items, color, and style.
  • After the party, take the leftover goods to your local donation center. Goodwill, schools, theatre groups, and pet adoption centers would love your excess items. Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find donation drop-off centers near you to take all the leftovers.

The most important part of SWAP Parties is, not only to have fun, but also to give a second round of life to pieces of items that would have otherwise ended in the landfill.

Want to attend a swap? Go to our events page to learn more about our upcoming Swap Parties!

 

 

FIX-IT! Repair & Reuse Workshop | Spring Valley

I Love A Clean San Diego is hosting a two-hour FIX-IT! Repair & Reuse Workshop that will teach you how turn an old t-shirt into a reusable tote-bag!

Do you own a t-shirt that you really love but is now too old to be worn in public? Do you want to learn a new skill to upcycle your clothes and give them a second life? Join this workshop to learn the sustainable and skills of sewing, embroidery, and up-cycling.

This event is happening on June 16, 2022 from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM and is FREE to all registered attendees.

RSVP is required.

Get ready to get crafty!
We ask all attendees to bring a t-shirt of your choice and a reusable mug to enjoy some tea. All other materials will be provided. See you then!
Thank you to the Mateando Embroidery Club for facilitating this skills sharing portion of this workshop.
Thank you to the County of San Diego for partnering on this event.

World Ocean Day Cleanup at La Jolla Shores

The Shops at La Jolla Village are throwing a party, and you are invited!

To celebrate World Ocean Day, Join I Love A Clean San Diego and The Shops at La Jolla Village for a beach cleanup at La Jolla Shores. We will start with a cleanup at La Jolla Shores to pay tribute to the ocean, and then celebrate at the Shops at La Jolla Village with free samples and activities.

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

Learn more and register here!

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.

Commercial Kitchen Food Scraps Recycling Webinar

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 4th 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 organic waste recycling regulations and how to meet requirements. We’ll also share best practices from local businesses who have implemented changes successfully.

Part One 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 11th from 3-4pm for Part Two 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 Two here.