Tag: recycle

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

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.

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Recycle Right for the Holidays: A Guide for Eco-Friendly Practices and Recycling This Gifting Season

Join the upcoming holiday webinar Celebrate Sustainably: Gifts and Glitz on December 8, 2021.

Getting back together with family and friends is cause for celebration. As we enjoy a season full of holiday traditions I Love A Clean San Diego offers some ideas to reduce holiday waste that occurs during this joyous time.

From shopping bags to increased packaging from online shopping, and giftwrap to food, Americans generate 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. This equates to an extra one million tons of waste generated per week nationwide during the holidays. However, much of this waste can be recycled or reused.

If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

Gifting and festivities can still be special and memorable while reducing waste and recycling right.

Join Us for the Gifts and Glitz Webinar

Join I Love A Clean San Diego for tips and inspiration at the “Celebrate Sustainably: Gifts and Glitz” webinar on Wednesday, December 8 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Online registration is open now to attend the fun and informative event. I Love A Clean San Diego’s education team will bring creative ideas to reducing waste and recycling, while keeping the spirit of the season alive.

Batteries, Bah Humbug

Americans use more than three billion batteries each year and about 40 percent of all battery sales in the U.S. occur during the holiday season. Batteries are considered Household Hazardous Waste. When not properly handled or recycled, batteries corrode and leach toxic chemicals like lithium, cadmium, sulfuric acid and lead. These chemicals can contaminate soil and groundwater. Some of these elements, like lithium, are limited in supply and need to be recaptured.

Here are suggestions to help reduce battery waste
1. Skip the single-use alkaline batteries. If you do, please collect and recycle them properly.
2. Buy rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries pay for themselves many times over and can easily be recycled for free after they reach the end of their useful life.
3. For both single-use and rechargeable batteries, use the free search tool at WasteFreeSD.org to find a drop off location near you.

Low Waste Gift Giving

When thinking about holiday gift shopping, consider the entire life cycle of your purchases. How long will the person receiving this gift actually use it? Will it be memorable and useful, or will they forget about it by next year? Gift giving can be a wonderful opportunity to express love and appreciation, but it can also slip into feeling like a mandatory practice – “I don’t know what to get them, but I have to get them something” mentality. Here are some ideas for low waste, mindful gift giving.

Take the Love Languages Quiz with your friends and family to determine how meaningful gifts actually are to each of you. Does a friend prefer serving others rather than being on the receiving end? Would your family member value quality time more than an item? Knowing this may change what you gift them.

Try shifting the focus away from “stuff.” Check out this graphic on WasteFreeSD.org and this Zero Waste Guide to Holiday Gifts.

Here are some low-waste gift ideas and technologies to consider.
• Give away items you do not need anymore. The new Good Use App, designed right here in San Diego, allows you to give your gently used items a second life. Sign up for the Good Use App here.
• Experiences: Memberships or subscriptions, tickets, classes, or pre-planned adventures and excursions
• Time: Making a home-cooked meal, helping with car or yard maintenance, “get out of a chore” or “design your perfect day” passes for kids
• Donations on their behalf to a cause or organization they’re passionate about
• Second-hand items: The most sustainable item you can buy is the one that already exists. Used items can still be high quality and in practically new condition. Aside from thrift stores, the Good Use App, Facebook Marketplace, Offerup, and Buy Nothing can be good online sources to check regularly.
• Zero waste tools: Help your loved one live more sustainably with items such as cotton produce bags, handkerchiefs, reusable makeup wipes, dryer balls, or a refillable growler.
• Items: If buying a new item, opt for locally made products and items made from reclaimed materials, such as upcycled skateboard sunglasses, dog leashes from retired climbing rope, and reclaimed wood picture frames

Gift Wrapping

Many traditional gift-wrapping materials, such as ribbon, bows, and cellophane, are not recyclable in your blue bins. To help sort out what is recyclable during the holidays, check out the Don’t Take a Holiday from Recycling flyer from the County of San Diego.

Stick to these recyclable items when wrapping presents
• Paper wrap without metallic and glitter designs
• Paper gift bags
• Cardboard boxes
• Paper cards and envelopes
• Glass jars are great for DIY gifts

These materials cannot be recycled in your curbside bin so please avoid or reuse them
• Metallic, glossy and glitter-covered wrapping paper
• Ribbons, bows, and twine
• Polystyrene packing peanuts
• Cards on glossy photo paper
• Plastic bags and film (return to participating stores for recycling)
• Tissue paper

Reuse supplies you have on hand, such as cardboard shipping boxes, tissue paper from a new pair of shoes, and paper bags from the store. There is no shame in reusing a gift bag; the person on the receiving end will not know the difference.

There are so many ways to get creative with repurposing materials, so have fun with it! See this as an opportunity to customize the gift to the person. For example, check out this tutorial to learn how to make bows out of magazine pages. If you are feeling extra adventurous, give the Furoshiki cloth-wrapping method a try.

Recycling and Proper Disposal

Keep these recycling tips and resources in mind.

• Recycling Right – When sorting through and putting away decorations and gifts, remember to dispose of items properly. Recycle only accepted materials in your curbside blue bin. In general, this includes paper, cardboard and cartons, plastic bottles and containers, glass bottles and jars, and metal and aluminum cans and foil. For more information on what is recyclable, visit the County of San Diego’s recycling page.

Common holiday items that can be recycled include cardboard gift boxes, plastic bottles and containers, glass jars, and brown paper wrap. Remember to keep these items empty, dry, and loose.

• Batteries and other household hazardous waste – Separate out hazardous items such as batteries and lights. These CANNOT go into the trash or recycling bins. Check WasteFreeSD.org for a comprehensive list of hazardous items and find drop-off locations in your area.

• Christmas tree recycling – After the holidays, remember to recycle your fresh-cut tree and help close the loop, returning the tree to the earth as mulch. County of San Diego residents are encouraged to recycle their Christmas trees as soon as possible to reduce fire danger and minimize the amount of holiday waste sent to the landfill. In addition to dozens of community drop-off sites, many local waste and recycling haulers offer curbside tree and wreath pick-up. These trees and wreaths are ground into mulch, which is then used to improve soil health, reduce evaporation and erosion. Visit WasteFreeSD.org or call 1-811-R-1-EARTH for more information and a complete list of drop-off locations.

Incorporating zero waste into your holiday planning may take some time and thought at first, but once these habits are implemented, they can reduce stress, save money, and allow you to focus on what is most important about the holiday season-spending time with those we love.

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Recycling: Top 10 Most Asked About Items in San Diego County 2020

Recycling and the Top 10 Most Asked About Items in San Diego County

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.

WasteFreeSD.org Top 10 Inquiries 2020

“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)

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Morning After Mess – Beach Cleanup 2021

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the Surfrider Foundation San Diego County for a litter cleanup the morning after July 4th around Mission Beach Park in San Diego. We will pick-up post-party beach litter from and divert it from the Pacific Ocean.

This cleanup is virtually-hosted; we are not gathering together, but we will have a staging table at Mission Beach Park on the morning of July 5. you can swing by and say hi, grab some disposable supplies, and walk around picking up litter. If you join us at the beach we can help you dispose of collected litter and you can help us contribute to community-based science by completing a tracking sheet of what you found.

Do you live far from the beach, or would rather stay close-to-home? We got you covered! You can participate in this cleanup virtually from your neighborhood or location of choice. 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!

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.

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Watershed Warriors: Ramona Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Ramona community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Dieguito watershed and Pacific Ocean.

These cleanups are currently virtually-hosted; we are not gathering or meeting in a specific location to clean up as a group. 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 target community or around your own 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!

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Watershed Warriors: Lakeside Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Lakeside community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Diego River watershed and Pacific Ocean.

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!

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Watershed Warriors: Rancho San Diego Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Rancho San Diego community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Diego Bay watershed and Pacific Ocean.

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!

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Waste Hierarchy: What are the 4 Rs?

Waste Hierarchy: What are the 4 Rs?

Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose/Upcycle, Recycle –

These 4 R’s are extremely important when it comes to sustainable living and help manifest environmentally responsible consumer behavior. They all aim to reduce the amount of waste we create, which will not only save money but conserve natural resources and energy as well.

Reduce

Reduce comes first in the waste hierarchy and is the most effective way to prevent waste from being generated in the first place. From production to transportation, every single product that we own uses up large amounts of raw materials and energy, which poses as a detriment to the environment through resource depletion and pollution creation.

Tips on Reducing

Only buying what you need
Buy in bulk, click here to learn the basics of bulk buying
Buy used items from thrift stores or consignment shops
Borrow, rent or share items that are used infrequently like Halloween costumes, party decorations, pool toys
Printing double sided
Avoid buying non-recyclable products

Reuse

Reuse is a great way to give an item an elongated life span by using it more than once. This means that none of the components of the product are wasted and can be used again for the same purpose.

Tips on Reusing

Using a reusable grocery bag instead of a getting a new plastic bag at the store
Using reusable utensils and water bottles
Reusing plastic or glass jars as storage containers (e.g. glass honey jars to store flour or sugar)
Repair items like clothes, shoes, tires, electronics or appliances instead of throwing and replacing them
Donate unwanted items to charity organizations like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity and help those in need

Repurpose

Repurposing and upcycling are often used interchangeably but they are actually slightly different. Repurposing is using one product to serve a different purpose and creating a new use for an old product. Examples include making plant pots out of egg cartons or making tea lights out of bottle caps.

Tips on Repurposing

Look for inspo on creative ways to repurpose items: blogs
Repurposing can be a fun arts-and-craft activity to do with children
Works really well during holidays like Halloween and Christmas, where you can make decorations and costumes from old and used items at home

Upcycle

Upcycling on the other hand is enhancing or upgrading a product to better serve the same purpose through the addition of paint, ad-ons, decorations etc. An example is painting over your old table to transform it into a new pretty one.

Tips on Upcycling

Look for inspo on creative ways to repurpose items: blogs, YouTube
Utilize items at home that might be outdated such as old clothes to use as rags and towels for your project

Recycle

Recycle comes last in the waste hierarchy and should also be the last option you choose if you exhaust all the other choices from reduce, reuse and repurpose/upcycle. This is because it is still creating materials and using up energy during the recycling process. Recycling aims to close the loop on resource consumption and preserve them for continued use by turning them into new products. For example, milk jugs and other plastic containers can be made into new bottles and containers, or even furniture and playground equipment. Paper can be recycled into toilet paper and tissues, and thin cardboard boxes and cartons.

Tips on Recycling

Only put items accepted by your waste hauler in your blue recycling bin
Make sure your recyclables are generally clean and dry
Putting contaminated items into the blue bin can contaminate the entire recycling load and deem it unusable
Never bag recyclables in plastic bag
Mixed material items such as chip bags cannot be recycled because there is no process to separate the items
Keep electronics and hazardous waste items out of your blue bin
Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find out where you can recycle other items like electronics and batteries

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Watershed Warriors: Mt. Helix Community Cleanup

Join I Love A Clean San Diego and the County of San Diego for a virtually-hosted litter cleanup in the Mt. Helix community! We will pick-up litter from the community and divert it from the San Diego Bay watershed 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. While we are targeting this specific community, you are welcome to clean up wherever and with whomever you feel comfortable.

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!

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