Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Recognized by Federal, State, & Local Representatives During Waste to Wonder Celebration
After decades of working with local jurisdictions to make the San Diego area more environmentally-friendly, Encinitas-based nonprofit Solana Center for Environmental Innovation received several awards and proclamations from government officials during its 40th year celebration on May 11th, 2024.
District Representative Jessica Ramirez, of U.S. Congressman Mike Levin’s office, presented a Member of Congress Proclamation honoring Solana Center’s commitment to climate action. Congressman Levin toured Solana Center last year, enthusiastically learning about programs from food waste reduction to vermicomposting. Ramirez said of the organization, “The programming at Solana Center, which ranges from water stewardship and waste recovery to composting and sustainable living, helps to ensure we are doing what we can to protect our environment. Solana Center is doing incredible work to promote a culture of sustainability by training students, residents, and businesses on how to implement low-waste practices.” Representative Levin has been a champion of the C.O.M.P.O.S.T. Act, which would provide grants for nonprofits like Solana Center.
State Senator Catherine Blakespear and State Representative Tasha Boerner’s field representative Ross Tritt presented a California Legislature Assembly Resolution recognizing the vital role Solana Center has played in improving the San Diego region’s quality of life. State Senator Blakespear recognized Solana Center Executive Director Jessica Toth as Senate District 38’s Woman of the Year, explaining how she used what she learned from Toth to establish a zero-waste working group in the state legislature. Blakespear detailed how Toth helped bring Senate Bill 1383, a statewide food recovery and organics recycling law, to life, and how “she significantly contributed to San Diego County’s Organic Materials Ordinance.”
Ross Tritt described how Boerner’s office attended Solana Center’s Textile Waste Awareness Event in March, saying, “The response from our community was overwhelming, with a staggering 340 pounds of textiles contributed, an impressive 83% of which were diverted from landfills…[The event] stemmed from a presentation of a young Girl Scout on textile waste to Solana Center. Witnessing Solana Center transform her idea into a reality really underscores their commitment to empowering the next generation of stewards of the environment….” He also mentioned Solana Center’s technical assistance program for local farmers and ranchers applying to the California Department of Food And Agriculture’s Healthy Soils Grant, which enables sustainable projects such as compost application and carbon sequestration.
The County of San Diego delivered a proclamation, presented by Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer’s Manager of Community Engagement Cipriano Vargas, declaring May 11th Solana Center Day throughout San Diego County. Vice Chair Lawson-Remer has championed funding for Solana Center and environmental causes throughout the region during her three years on the County Board of Supervisors.
Tony Kranz, the Mayor of the City of Encinitas, delivered a Proclamation honoring the 40th year anniversary of Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. It includes recognition of Solana Center’s spearheading of southern California’s first curbside recycling program, as well as its pivotal role in driving the elimination of foam food containers, educating individuals about how to decrease their carbon footprints, and leading initiatives for water conservation.
Solana Center looks forward to expanding its textile waste awareness program and helping Tier 2 businesses get into SB 1383 food recovery and organics recycling compliance, as well as continuing to offer e-waste recycling collection, practical climate solutions, and environmental education to local schools, residents, and farmers.