20th Anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup to Celebrate Earth Week in San Diego County

The 20th Anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup to Celebrate Earth Week

throughout San Diego County with Thousands of Environmental Volunteers

San Diego County’s largest cleanup effort honoring Earth Day is back to in-person, group volunteering. All ages welcome in communities across the region. Free online registration opens April 1 at CreektoBay.org for the April 23 event.

I Love A Clean San Diego County (ILACSD) is set to host the 20th anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – the day after Earth Day. The event that has become the region’s largest one-day environmental volunteer effort honoring Earth Day. This year, Creek to Bay returns to in-person, group volunteering at nearly 75 sites around the county.

Organizers expect over 5,000 volunteers of all ages to participate. Free online registration opens on April 1 at CreektoBay.org.

“Bringing people together as environmental volunteers is core to what we do at I Love A Clean San Diego and creates the greatest impact at the Creek to Bay Cleanup,” said Lauren Short, the event’s Director of Community Engagement. “We will have designated sites with site captains for people who want the group experience and will provide the close-to-home option for those who wish to volunteer that way.”

In 2021, volunteers reported removing nearly 30,000 pounds of litter from streets, parks, canyons and beaches. This year, ILACSD hopes to see that number jump closer to pre-pandemic levels of 100,000 pounds.

“This is why volunteer registration and data reporting is so important,” said Short. “We report our totals to local, regional, state and national agencies and we want every effort to be counted. We urge all volunteers to register – it counts.”

On event day, all volunteers will see cleanup totals displayed, in live time, on the Volunteer Impact Map at CreektoBay.org.

Where Does Marine Litter Come From?

About 80 percent of all marine debris begins inland, and all residents of San Diego County live in one of 11 watersheds, which all have their own habitats and lead to our bays and ocean. Litter enters our local watersheds and flows out to the Pacific Ocean, becoming a harmful threat to the health of both marine wildlife and people. Single-use plastics are the most dangerous products, which break down into micro-plastics and can be ingested by animals and humans.

Since its inception, Creek to Bay Cleanup volunteers have helped clear over 2.7 million pounds of pollution from communities across the county to protect the region’s natural environment, waterways and the ocean.

ILACSD encourages all volunteers to practice zero-waste habits at Creek to Bay by swapping single-use plastic items for sustainable alternatives.

North County Bucket Drive

People can donate to ILACSD and receive a reusable bucket and new litter grabber at the North County Bucket Drive on Saturday, April 9 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Carlsbad Community Church, 3175 Harding St, Carlsbad, CA 92008. An online donation of $30 before April 9 will generate a receipt for donors to drive thru and pickup their cleanup kit.

Creek to Bay Goes International

The event has gone national and international due to its virtual volunteer option. Volunteers around the country, Canada, Mexico and Europe will contribute to cleanup efforts in their own corner of the world thanks to support from corporate teams.

Supporting partners of the Creek to Bay Cleanup

Think Blue San Diego, County of San Diego, County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program, Project Clean Water, The Coca-Cola Foundation, CBS News 8, Bank of America, Sempra Infrastructure, Sony, COX, Kirei USA, Wells Fargo, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Illumina, Orbital Project Management, City of San Marcos, City of San Marcos, GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, City of Poway, City of La Mesa, City of Imperial Beach, Port of San Diego, City of Escondido, City of El Cajon.

About I Love A Clean San Diego County 

Founded in 1954, I Love A Clean San Diego County (ILACSD) is an environmental nonprofit on a mission to foster zero waste lifestyles and beautify communities throughout the region. ILACSD serves about 90,000 students, adults and businesses every year through environmental education, volunteer cleanup and beautification programs, and recycling and zero waste resources for the public. Annually, the organization hosts approximately 900 workshops and produces 600 community cleanups. Community cleanups are responsible for clearing nearly half a million pounds of pollution from the region annually. ILACSD is dedicated to empowering every person to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living to protect and improve the health of the home we love. Connect with us at CleanSD.org, WasteFreeSD.org,  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, or call 619.291.0103.

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!

Household Water Savings Guide

Household Water Savings Guide

In the San Diego region, water conservation has great benefits all year long. Drought or no drought, the entire region is an arid environment, which needs water from a variety expensive sources to sustain our quality of life. When practiced year-round, water conservation reduces pollution in our oceans, saves our most precious natural resource and helps you save money all year long. Here are some tips to help save water and a link for water saving rebates available for residents in the city of San Diego.

In the House

  • Turn off the bathroom sink while shaving or brushing your teeth. Some bathroom faucets can use up to two gallons of water per minute. Install an aerator to help restrict water flow to the faucet, this can decrease usage and use as little as .5 gallons of water per minute.
  • Scrape dirty dishes instead of rinsing before placing them in the dishwasher. Some dishwashers don’t require any pre-rinsing, check your user’s manual to find out.
  • Run the dishwasher on full loads of dishes only. Inefficient dishwashers can use up to 15 gallons per load, make sure the dishwasher is used only when fully loaded with dishes and invest in an efficient model that can save money, energy and water.
  • Run full loads of laundry. Even if your washing machine has an adjustable load setting, the washing machine will be the most efficient when run on a full load.
  • Place a bucket in the shower to capture the water that is run while warming under shower. Tub faucets can use a minimum of four gallons of water per minute. That clean water running down the drain can be useful! Try using collected water to water your garden and trees.
    • Also, learn how to take a Navy Shower and reduce water use by 90 percent!

In the Yard

  • Turn off irrigation systems before rainstorms. When significant rainfall occurs, make sure you don’t run your sprinklers. Some irrigation systems even allow you to set seasonal irrigation programs.
  • Install a pool cover to reduce evaporation. Evaporation causes pools to lose over hundreds of gallons a year. Simply by covering a pool can cut evaporation by 95 percent lowering the demand to refill the pool more often.
  • Wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hose. Washing your car with an open hose can use up to 100 gallons per wash. Choose to go to a car wash center that recycles the water.
  • Install rain gutters and rain barrels to capture water from your roof. By installing a rain barrel for your home, you reduce the demand on the potable water system to irrigate your garden. Plus, unchlorinated rain water is better for plant health.  

Learn More

  • Attend Water Conservation Workshops. Attend a workshop like an I Love a Clean San Diego workshop to learn more about local programs that can help you save money and learn more tips and tricks! 
  • Utilize Local Water Savings Rebates. There are many local rebate programs that can help you save money when purchasing and installing rain gutters, rain barrels, or downspout redirects.

Check out Think Blue San Diego for more tips and information about water conservation rebates and visit WasteFreeSD.org for more local resources.

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!

Spring Cleaning: Clothing Donations

Recycle Clothing

Spring Cleaning: Clothing Donations

With Spring just around the corner, there is no better time than now for Spring cleaning!! De-cluttering your home of unwanted items, thoroughly cleaning room to room, wiping the dirt off every nook and cranny you can find – these are all a part of the exciting (and sometimes tedious) Spring cleaning routine. At the end of it all, you might end up with a box or two of clothes that you always see in your closet but never reach for, or have forgotten about so it’s now out of style. Keep reading for tips on where to donate or recycle them!

Donating your clothes to non-profit organizations will ensure you’re donating to a good cause and helping those in need.

San Diego Rescue Mission 

San Diego Rescue Mission accepts clothing/shoes that are fairly new or gently used. They take into account the wishes of the donor and your requests on how the items you donate will be used. Most of their donations are given to students and guests at the San Diego Rescue Mission according to their needs.

Father Joe’s

Father Joe’s accepts clothing/shoes that are clean and gently used, and resells them at their thrift stores. The money collected from reselling the donations go directly towards helping the homeless population in San Diego.

Many mail-in programs exist for clothing/shoes donation, where most items are sent to developing countries for people who are poverty stricken and are in desperate need of clothes. 

Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls is a free mail in program which aims to turn unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, creating jobs and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. Shoes are distributed to people in need and are also used to help people launce and sustain their own small businesses selling donated shoes and clothing.

The Bra Recyclers

The Bra Recyclers is a free mail in program that accepts bras, sports bras, mastectomy bras, nursing bras and new panties. The bras are then donated to women in developing countries, escaping domestic violence, human trafficking or battling breast cancer.

Retold Recycling

Retold Recycling is a mail in program that accepts damaged or very worn out clothes and textiles (blankets, towels, bed linen) to be recycled. Whether it’s just one sock or a full bag of clothing, Retold makes sure none of it ends up in the landfill. The items are sorted by type and quality, and are then sent to thrift stores, charities, upcyclers, recycling companies, and developing countries to support micro-economies.

USAgain Drop Off Bins

USAgain accepts clothing/shoes that are in reusable condition. Items in fairly good condition are given to people who don’t have the option to buy new clothes, allowing them to conserve funds for other basic necessities such as food, shelter and education. Some are sold to small shop owners or second hand stores who are in need of products to make ends meet. Items that are battered such as fabric scraps are either reused as wiping rags or shredded to insulation material for appliances and vehicles.

Many clothing brands have a take back program in place where if you bring back a used item you could get a discount to purchase a new item.

Madewell

Madewell has a Do-Well recycling program in place where they offer free repairs in stores for patching, mending and other fixes. Used jeans are also available for purchase at their stores. Once you have fallen out of love with your jeans you can turn them in at Madewell, which then turns old bootcuts into housing insulation for communities in need.

Patagonia 

Patagonia has a Worn Wear program where you are able to trade in or mail in used Patagonia garments that are still in good condition in exchange for store credit. They also offer a used clothing section as well as repair services in order to expand the lifespan of clothing and keep them out the landfill.

North Face

North Face accepts used apparel and footwear in any condition and brand at their stores and rewards $10 towards your next purchase of $100 or more. Items are then sent to Soles4Souls to be repurposed to provide small entrepreneurs with business opportunities.

Levi’s 

Levi’s has a denim recycling program where you are able to drop off any denim from any brand, and be rewarded with a 20% discount off a single item. The recycled denim will be used as materials for building insulation for schools, hospitals and libraries.

H&M 

H&M accepts textiles of any brand and condition at their stores, which are then sorted into the categories of rewear, reuse and recycle.