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Our Zero Waste Fair is a sustainability celebration! This family-friendly event offers hands-on environmental activities for all ages, connects the public to sustainable businesses and organizations, and awakens environmental passion with a panel discussion featuring local environmental leaders.

Saturday, June 24th 2023

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Event Details:

Saturday, June 24, 2023
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: EUSD Farm Lab, 441 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024

What: Join a group of environmental champions from around San Diego County. All are welcome – from sustainable living beginners to zero waste experts.

 

About the Zero Waste Fair

I Love A Clean San Diego, in partnership with the City of Encinitas, has hosted the Zero Waste Fair since its inception in 2015. The event brings together residents, businesses and non-profits from every corner of San Diego County. Attend the hosted panel of speakers, walk through the booths and vendors, participate in hands-on zero waste activities, and enter to win sustainable prizes from local businesses.

At the Fair:

  • Visit educational booths hosted by local zero waste businesses and organizations
  • Listen to our panel of sustainability experts
  • Leave with at least one real world action you can take to start making change today
  • Listen to live music from local band Tunewave

What to Bring to the Fair?

Help us keep this event low waste and remember your reusable items:

  • Container for leftovers
  • Bag for any goods you buy
  • Cup for drinks
  • Jars or small containers for the Make and Take activities

Bring gently used clothing and home items for our Swap & Shop Booth

  • Please limit your donation to 3 high quality items per person

What is Zero Waste?

The Environmental Protection Agency defines zero waste as the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products. It is a conscious way of living that considers the entire life cycle of products, and it encourages a circular economy. We can all take steps with both individual and community actions to reach a zero waste San Diego!

Get Involved

Anyone can attend! Join us to learn and support I Love A Clean San Diego.

Donate

Make a gift to I Love A Clean San Diego and help provide zero-waste solutions and environmental education to all San Diegans. Donate here.

Host A Booth

Ready to showcase your sustainable organization at the Fair? Fill out our Booth Interest Form.

Opportunity Drawing In-Kind Donations

Make an in-kind donation of a good or service in support of the fair. Every attendee receives one opportunity drawing ticket. Businesses may participate in both the opportunity drawing and hosting a booth. Fill out our Opportunity Drawing Interest Form.

Participating Groups

 

Panelists

Isabelle DeMillan

Isabelle DeMillan is the founder of The Mighty Bin, San Diego’s first ‘zero waste’ grocery store located in North Park. She spent years trying to figure out what would be the best way to help our planet and eventually came to realize that we as individuals hold tremendous power for change after discovering the ‘zero waste’ movement. That is why she decided to open up a sustainable business that provides everyone with the resources to learn and easily adopt low-waste habits. At The Mighty Bin, consumers are able to live more consciously while using their buying power to invest in companies and businesses that are committed to a sustainable future.

Crystal Najera

Crystal Najera is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Encinitas. She has worked for the City of Encinitas in an environmental capacity for fifteen years, protecting ocean water quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing associated stormwater and climate action programs. Ms. Najera oversees the implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan, ensuring that Encinitas meets emissions reduction targets and follows through on identified CAP measures. Her recent work includes developing energy and green building policy, implementing micro-mobility programs, and completing an electric vehicle charging station master plan for the City.

Jim Ambroso

Mr. Ambroso has worked in the solid waste and recycling industry for over 35 years, having served as president, vice-president, and general manager for both private and public waste service companies in both Illinois and California. In March 2020, he joined EDCO as General Manager for the north San Diego County operation. He is responsible for collection and processing facility operations in San Marcos, Escondido, Fallbrook, as well as the unincorporated portions of northern San Diego County. Before joining EDCO, Mr. Ambroso spent 5 years developing recycling methods for organic waste, including food waste, which has become the next frontier in recycling efforts.

 

Booths

Partnership Opportunities

I Love A Clean San Diego thanks our valued partners for helping make the 2023 Zero Waste Fair a success. If you would like to join the community of businesses that support this event, please contact Steve Morris at smorris@cleansd.org.

Thank You to Our Partners!

The City of Encinitas

City of Encinitas Community Grant Program

San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization