Composting 101 | A Beginners Guide

Composting 101: A Beginners Guide to Successful Composting

Why is composting important? Composting allows you to create your own healthy soil for free. More than 40 percent of what is in the landfill could have been composted. You can keep that much waste out of the landfill by simply composting your organic matter or kitchen scraps.

Do’s and Don’ts

DO compost these items:

Fruits, Vegetables, Grains/Bread/Rice, Coffee Grounds/Filters, Tea bags, Nuts/Shells, Egg Shells, Pasta, Newspaper/Cardboard, Paper Bags, Leaves, Yard Trimmings, Dead Plants

DON’T compost these items:

Meat, Seafood, Bones, Dairy, Grease, Oil, Chemicals, Plastic, Wax Coated Paper, Feces, Styrofoam

Extra Tips:

  • Cut up large items so they can compost quicker.
  • Large items like avocado pits, root balls and oyster shells can be composted but may take quite a bit of extra time.

If you’re unsure on whether or not it can be composted, think in color…

GREENS – Materials that are moist or were recently growing are nutrient rich.

  • Fruits, veggies, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc.
  • Items from the garden that are still green such as grass clippings, weeds, plants.

BROWNS – Consists of dry or woody plant material.

  • Dry leaves, wood chips, straw.
  • Newspaper, paper bags, napkins

Compost Collection

Collect your food scraps in a pale, bucket or an enclosed compost collection bin to keep the smell enclosed. Check out the Solana Center Store for great composting items and ideas such as bins and thermometers.
Layer your collected food waste (Greens) in your compost bin with your Browns. You ideally want two parts Browns and one part Greens.
Keep your compost piles moist, with the consistency of a damp sponge and make sure there is some air flow.

Finished Product Tips:

  • Add your finished compost to any soil to enrich it with nutrients.
  • Add some to the top layer of soil in potted plants.
  • Use it as a nutrient enhancer for produce in the garden.
  • Add it to the base of your trees near the roots by digging small holes around the trunks and filling them with fresh composted soil.

Variations in Composting Bins 

Find out what composting bin method is right for you, whether that’s vermicomposting or bokashi!

Zero Waste Pets

Zero Waste Pets

Zero Waste Pets

Working on being sustainable with a furry friend at home? Maintaining a low waste lifestyle with a pet can be a challenge, but I Love A Clean San Diego has some tips, tricks, and resources for you! It’s fun to spoil our pets when we can, but a zero waste mindset allows us to think about what our pets truly need. There are ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, even when taking care of a dog, cat, or other pet at home.

Pet Food

A great area to work on reducing waste is your pet’s food. There are so many options to cutting down on packaging. Try your best to buy in bulk. Most pet stores have a treat bar, so bring your own reusable bags and fill them up with treats for your pet! If you have a reptile, bring your own container next time you pick up crickets or other insects. You can also buy food in large quantities, especially if your pet requires something specific in their diet. This way, you are only tossing one piece of trash when you finish the container, rather than multiple small bags.

There are many resources online for making your own pet food! You can find recipes that do not need many ingredients, or that require ingredients you can pick up in minimal packaging.

You can also always look for pet food that comes in recyclable packaging. Remember, metal, paper and cardboard, glass, and plastic containers can all be recycled. Keep an eye out for food in stainless steel cans, or treats in hard plastic containers! This packaging can go into the recycling bin once you’re finished with it.

There are many pet supply brands out there with sustainability efforts. Check out the Pet Sustainability Coalition for more information!

Pet Toys

We all know that our pets can go through their favorite toys rather quickly. Do your best to choose good quality toys with minimal packaging to avoid purchasing more toys and sending cheap material from broken toys to landfill. If you know your pet will destroy any stuffed animal, choose those made of sustainable products or compostable fabric, like hemp.

Many of our household materials can be repurposed into DIY toys for pets as well.

  • Braid strips of old fabric from t-shirts or blankets to make a pull toy or a feather toy
  • Stuff socks with catnip for your cat to play with
  • Use scrap wood and carpet to create a scratching post
  • Wrap a water bottle in a t-shirt for a fun crinkle toy

Check out this resource for even more DIY ideas!

Donating Used Pet Supplies

Once we’ve cut down on how much waste we’re bringing home, we can think about how to properly dispose of the things that our pets don’t use anymore, or what can be donated. There are a lot of great local animal organizations that accept in-kind donations, or have wish lists of items they need. Check their websites – many of these facilities also accept items that we wouldn’t normally associate strictly with animals, like towels and sheets! If you’re cleaning out your linen closet and wondering what to do with those textiles, these can be great places to donate gently used items

Use WasteFreeSD to find more near you!

Pet Waste

Pet waste itself is somewhat challenging to dispose of in an eco-friendly way. It is crucial that we pick up after our pets because of bacteria that exists in their waste. We don’t want that washing into our storm drains and out to our waterways. What works for some in terms of picking up after their pet may not work for others. Try using a reusable scoop, scrap paper, grocery bags, or pick up after your pet using eco-friendly bags. Bags made from cornstarch claim to biodegrade – there are many brands out there, but you can read reviews to compare on things like price and effectiveness.

If you are interested in composting your pet waste, it needs to be completely separate from your food composting system. You should not use pet waste compost on anything you are growing to eat. You should not compost pet waste from animals that are sick or taking medication. For dog waste, you can develop a system that involves burying your composting bin or can in the ground, and layering waste and sawdust. Cat litter is a little more challenging. You will need to find a litter that is compostable, made from pine or paper. Remember, cat litter should not be flushed down the toilet, even if the brand says it can be flushed. Cat waste can contain a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, and many treatment plants are not designed to remove this from wastewater.

Water from a fish tank can often be used on your plants. Aquarium water contains potassium, nitrogen, and other nutrients that are in many chemical fertilizers, so it’s okay to use on house plants. If you use other chemicals in your tanks to treat algae or pH, or if you have a saltwater tank, we don’t recommend using this on plants.

As always, do your research! Make sure it’s safe to compost with your pet’s current diet. Always investigate what kind of plants it’s safe to use that compost on.

Small Changes Make a Big Difference

We know it can be challenging to reduce waste with a pet. Take it one step at a time! Start small and see how it goes – the best part is you might inspire friends and family to think differently about their waste habits as well! Let us know how you take care of your pet in a low waste way by tagging us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @ILoveACleanSD!

Pick up more zero waste tips and knowledge by attending our Celebrate Sustainably: Summer Fun webinar on July 28th! Register here. For more information on how to adopt a waste-free lifestyle visit WasteFreeSD.org. For more information about our educational programs, contact education@cleansd.org.

Makeup Recycling

Makeup Recycling

How to Recycle Makeup / Cómo Reciclar Maquillaje

Don’t know what to do with your half-empty lipstick containers or your clumpy, expired mascara tubes? Look no further!

Rinse It Out

Dirty containers lower the value of recycled products so remember to rinse out the residue and take off the labels before recycling! Mascaras can be tricky but you can pour warm water and makeup remover into the tube, let it sit 10 minutes, then shake! This should get rid of most of the residue.

Non Recyclables

Unfortunately, not all makeup is recyclable. Makeup brushes and products with a pump or a mirror are not recyclable (alternative solutions below). But you don’t have to throw away the makeup brushes just yet – you can reuse them in arts and crafts, or use them for dusting small furniture or plants!

Reuse Products

With a little bit of DIY, old makeup can be turned into new products. Expired or leftover eye shadow can be crushed into fine powder and added into clear nail polish to create your own perfect, custom color. This is a fun and creative way to be more sustainable!

Call Local Recycling Center

If your container cannot be reused, you should always call your local recycling center first to make sure your product will be accepted before putting it in the recycling bin.

Drop Off Program

Nordstrom, together with global recycling leader Terracycle, have created BEAUTYCYCLE, a national program to accept beauty product packaging for recycling at Nordstrom stores.  All brands of beauty product and skincare packaging are accepted. Click here to find more information.

Mail In Program

Terracycle has operations in over 20 countries and has specifically partnered with Garnier in the US to collect most skincare and cosmetic packaging. The process is extremely simple: all you need to do is print out a label and ship them your products! Click here to find out more!

Alternative Recycling Programs

FREEBIES! By contributing to these makeup brands’ takeback program, you can get new free makeup. It’s a win-win situation!

MAC Cosmetics

MAC offers a Back to MAC program where people can get a free lipstick if they bring in 6 old MAC containers! Click here to find out more!

LUSH

You can return five clean black pots to any Lush store in exchange for a free fresh face mask! They chip them down and remold them into new black pots in a closed recycling loop. Click here to find out more!

Kiehl’s

For each empty, full-size container (Kiehl’s brand) you bring in for recycling to a Kiehl’s store, you’ll receive one stamp. Once you’ve collected 10 stamps, you’ll receive a free travel-size Kiehl’s product! Each customer can redeem one reward per month (one reward = ten empty full-sized containers) for a 2.5oz travel-size product worth up to $11 in value. Click here to find out more!

L’OCCITANE

Bring your used beauty and skin care products and packaging to one of their participating boutiques to be recycled, and you can get 10% off a new item. They accept beauty products such as lip balm tubes, pumps, deodorant sticks, fragrances bottles and pumps; skincare products like dispensers and tubes for soaps and lotions, facemask packaging; hair packaging products like pumps and caps from shampoo bottles and trigger heads. Click here to find out more!

Origins

The Return to Origins was the first recycling program for cosmetic packaging within the beauty industry. They don’t discriminate and accept a wide range of packaging from any brand, including any glass or plastic jars, bottles, tubes, lipstick covers and caps. Just drop off your empty cosmetic packaging to any of the company’s retail or department store counters. Click here to find out more!

Reciclaje de maquillaje

¿No sabe qué hacer con sus envases de lápiz labial medio vacíos o sus grumos y tubos de rímel caducados? ¡No busque más!

Enjuague

Los contenedores sucios reducen el valor de los productos reciclados, así que recuerde enjuagar los residuos y quitar las etiquetas antes de reciclar. Las mascaras pueden ser complicadas, pero puede verter agua tibia y desmaquillante en el tubo, dejar reposar 10 minutos y luego agitar. Esto debería eliminar la mayoría de los residuos.

No Reciclable

Desafortunadamente, no todo el maquillaje es reciclable. Los pinceles de maquillaje y los productos con bomba o espejo no son reciclables. Pero todavía no tiene que tirar los pinceles de maquillaje: ¡puede reutilizarlos en artes y manualidades, o usarlos para desempolvar pequeños muebles o plantas!

Reutilizar Productos

Con un poco de bricolaje, el maquillaje antiguo se puede convertir en nuevos productos. La sombra de ojos vencida o sobrante se puede triturar en polvo fino y agregarse en esmalte de uñas transparente para crear su propio color perfecto y personalizado. ¡Esta es una forma divertida y creativa de ser más sostenible!

Llame a Reciclaje Local

Si su contenedor no se puede reutilizar, siempre debe llamar primero a su centro de reciclaje local para asegurarse de que su producto sea aceptado antes de colocarlo en la papelera de reciclaje.

Programa de Entrega

Nordstrom, junto con Terracycle, el líder global de reciclaje, han creado BEAUTYCYCLE, un programa nacional para aceptar envases de los productos de belleza para reciclar en las tiendas Nordstrom.  Todas las marcas de productos de belleza y el cuidado de la piel están aceptadas. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información.

Programa de Correo

Terracycle tiene operaciones en más de 20 países y se ha asociado específicamente con Garnier en los EE. UU. Para recolectar la mayoría de los envases cosméticos y para el cuidado de la piel. El proceso es extremadamente simple: ¡todo lo que necesita hacer es imprimir una etiqueta y enviarles sus productos! Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

Programas Alternativos de Reciclaje

¡REGALOS! Al contribuir al programa de devolución de estas marcas de maquillaje, puede obtener nuevo maquillaje gratis. ¡Es una situación de ganar-ganar!

Cosmeticos MAC

¡MAC ofrece un programa Back to MAC donde las personas pueden obtener un lápiz labial gratis si traen 6 contenedores MAC viejos! Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

LUSH

¡Puedes devolver cinco macetas negras limpias a cualquier tienda Lush a cambio de una mascarilla fresca gratis! Los trituran y los vuelven a moldear en nuevas macetas negras en un circuito cerrado de reciclaje. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

Kiehl’s

Por cada contenedor vacío de tamaño completo (marca Kiehl’s) que traiga para reciclar a una tienda Kiehl’s, recibirá un sello. Una vez que haya recogido 10 sellos, ¡recibirá un producto Kiehl’s de tamaño de viaje gratis! Cada cliente puede canjear una recompensa por mes (una recompensa = diez contenedores vacíos de tamaño completo) por un producto de 2.5 oz de viaje con un valor de hasta $ 11. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

L’OCCITANE

Lleve sus productos y embalajes usados ​​de belleza y cuidado de la piel a una de sus boutiques participantes para que sean reciclados, y puede obtener un 10% de descuento en un artículo nuevo. Aceptan productos de belleza como tubos de bálsamo labial, bombas, barras de desodorante, botellas y bombas de fragancias; productos para el cuidado de la piel, como dispensadores y tubos para jabones y lociones, envases para mascarillas; productos para el cabello como bombas y tapas de botellas de champú y cabezales de gatillo. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

Origins

The Return to Origins fue el primer programa de reciclaje para envases cosméticos dentro de la industria de la belleza. No discriminan y aceptan una amplia gama de envases de cualquier marca, incluidos frascos de vidrio o plástico, botellas, tubos, tapas y tapas de lápiz labial. Simplemente deje su envase cosmético vacío en cualquiera de los mostradores minoristas o de grandes almacenes de la compañía. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información!

Conscious Closets Webinar

Did you know the average American throws away 82 pounds of textile waste every year?

Join I Love A Clean San Diego from 10 – 11 AM on Saturday, May 21, for our free Conscious Closets webinar in partnership with the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department. Come learn about textile recycling, the environmental impacts of fast fashion, and how to mindfully clean out your closet. We’ll also share tips on shopping secondhand, repairing clothing items, and creating a low waste laundry routine. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Thank you to the City of San Diego for sponsoring this event!

7th Annual Zero Waste Fair

Save the date for a fun and unique celebration of all things zero waste this summer! I Love A Clean San Diego, in partnership with the City of Encinitas, will be hosting the seventh annual Zero Waste Fair on Saturday, June 25th, from 10AM-1PM.

Our Zero Waste Fair is back in-person this year at the EUSD Farm Lab in Encinitas! Come ready to experience a wide array of zero waste activities, including informative presentations, booths from sustainable companies, and hands-on low waste DIYs.

This one-of-a-kind event will highlight tips on low-waste living, composting, recycling, sustainable swaps for everyday products, and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover local zero waste businesses, and win eco-conscious prizes!

Register here and be sure to keep a look out for more event details in the coming months. Can’t wait to see you there this summer!

How and Where to Recycle Real Christmas Trees in San Diego County

Christmas Tree Recycling Guide: How and Where to Recycle Real Christmas Trees in San Diego County

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

  • Do not flock or buy flocked trees. Fake snow (flock) contains chemicals that interfere with the composting process
  • If you choose to use tinsel it must be completely removed (and placed in the trash) from your tree before it can be recycled. Best option, don’t buy tinsel. It is a wasteful single-use plastic.
  • Make sure to remove all ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, and tree stands (metal or plastic) before recycling.
  • For areas where curbside tree recycling is available, trees taller than four feet should be cut in half. It is recommended that pieces be under four feet.
  • Reuse or donate artificial trees that are in good condition. Purchasing new plastic trees create more waste and greenhouse gasses.
  • Don’t let real trees sit around too long after the holidays. They can dry out and become fire hazards.
  • Organic wreaths and similar decorations can be recycled with trees.

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.

Zero Waste BBQ

Zero Waste BBQ

Zero Waste BBQ

Summer means longer days, warmer weather, and spending more time outside. For San Diegans, this leads to beach days, barbecues and other outdoor events! It can also lead to a lot of waste – every summer, I Love A Clean San Diego collects thousands of pounds of litter from our local beaches. For your gatherings this this season, consider going zero waste! I Love A Clean San Diego wants to help you host a low waste barbecue so you can spend less time worrying about trash, and more time focused on fun!

Ditch the Disposables

When there are large groups involved, it can be easy to reach for paper plates and plastic cutlery. However, one plastic water bottle requires 1.85 gallons of water to make. When we throw single use items away, we’re throwing away our natural resources as well. It’s best for the environment to use reusable tableware instead. If you’re concerned about being left with a ton of dishes at the end of the night, ask your guests to BYOP – bring your own plate! Let everyone know you are going for a plastic-free event, and people will be excited to help out. Try cloth napkins instead of paper, or glasses and mugs instead of paper cups. You can even find metal skewers for roasting marshmallows, rather than disposable ones.

Here in San Diego, we are lucky to have so many breweries and wineries close by. Try filling a few growlers instead of opting for bottles and cans, and look for wineries that will refill or reuse their wine bottles.

Forgo Food Waste

In the United States, the average person throws about 3.5 pounds of wasted food per week. In planning your menu for your summer BBQ, look for recipes that have ingredients you can buy in bulk. Reducing packaging during your grocery trip can cut down on your overall waste from the event. You can also do your best to use every part of the ingredient – instead of throwing away your potato peels, bake them into chips!

Try out the recipes below for your next event.

For each, you can use up what you have, or easily find ingredients in bulk or recyclable packaging.

Other ideas include…

  • Making sangria or flavored water with leftover fruit
  • Roasting any wilting veggies on the grill
  • Using the last of that loaf of bread in bread pudding

Set it Up for Success

A key component to any zero waste event is making sure your guests know where and how to dispose of things at the end of the night. Make sure it’s clear which bin is for recycling, where they can put compost, and what they should do with anything that might need to go in the trash. Clearly labelling your bins ensures your guests feel confident enough to sort their waste on their own.

Some quick disposal tips…

  • Glass, metal, paper, and plastic containers can all be recycled
  • Food soiled paper and food scraps from produce can be composted
  • Bottle caps are too small to go into the recycling on their own. Collect these throughout the night and place them in an empty metal can to be recycled.

We know it can be hard to make these adjustments in the whirlwind of party planning but try a few small adjustments and see how easily habits can change. The best part is you might inspire friends and family to think differently about their waste habits as well! Let us know how your zero waste barbecue goes by tagging us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @ILoveACleanSD!

Pick up more tips and knowledge by attending our Celebrate Sustainably: Summer Fun webinar on July 28th! Register here. For more information on how to adopt a waste-free lifestyle visit WasteFreeSD.org. For more information about our educational programs, contact education@cleansd.org.

Vista Oil Filter Recycling Event

Oil Filter Recycling 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.

Oil Filter Recycling Event

Oil Filter Recycling Event

County of San Diego Recycling is having an Oil Filter Recycling Event! Bring your used filter to a participating AutoZone on Saturday, May 22nd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and get a new filter FREE! Get your free filter only on May 22nd at the following AutoZone locations:

  • 370 Pala Street, Ramona
  • 1081 S Mission Ave, Fallbrook
  • 12421 Woodside Ave, Lakeside
  • 699 Sweetwater Rd, Spring Valley
  • 9710 Campo Rd, Spring Valley

Limit 5 gallons used oil per day, per person.

Limit 2 per household.

Free filter offer valid only during the specified date, time, and places listed above.

Free filter must be of equal or lesser value, not to exceed $15 before taxes.

Face coverings and social distancing required to participate.

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