Posts by Kate Kesner
Spring Quarterly Newsletter – 2024
Dear neighbor, Young eco-stewards are finding ways to transform our use-it and lose-it culture into one of greater respect for our planet. The Solana Beach School District has a waste sorting program, initiated through Solana Center and EDCO consultations, in which older students teach younger ones how to divert food from the landfill. In addition, 30 San…
Read MoreDr. Bronner’s Is Reducing Its Plastic Use
🌎 Dr. Bronner’s is taking bold steps to reduce plastic production and pollution. 🌎 How? 🌈 All of Dr. Bronner’s plastic bottles are 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, reducing new plastic production 🧴 🌈 The B Corp recently introduced a new paper soap refill carton. This carton is made with 80% less plastic and uses fewer…
Read MoreClimate Solutions: How to Recycle Your Coffee Pods
Sustainability and equity in coffee are multilayered. Growing the crop is a water- and often land-intensive process, and plenty of conventional farmers use pesticides and underpay workers to create cheap coffee. By buying that coffee, we as consumers incentivize exploitation. We may also be risking more expensive coffee in the future, as climate change is…
Read MoreHow are local governments implementing climate resilience plans, and how can you help?
Local governments are addressing the issue of climate-intensified flooding, as well as wildfire and heat risks, through a combination of: 1) Climate change mitigation, or reducing the emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere; and 2) Climate change adaptation, or responding to climate change that’s already in the pipeline. The City of San Diego’s 2022…
Read MoreSB 1383 Update: Organics Recycling Compliance Enforcement Changes in 2024
Senate Bill 1383, or the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction law, requires that businesses implement programs to ensure organic materials are no longer put in the trash, with edible food being donated and the rest sorted for organic waste recycling. Before the start of 2024, jurisdictions were required to visit Tier One and Tier Two (see…
Read More2023 Press
Winter Quarterly Newsletter – 2023
Dear Eco-Stewards, As the winter season arrives, we are looking forward to several exciting educational events, including the On-Farm Composting Course starting in January in Ramona and the ever-popular Master Composter Course starting in February in Escondido. These courses only happen once a year, so grab your spot now if you’ve been waiting for your chance to participate! Secondly, thank you to all…
Read MoreFrugal Ways to Reduce Your Climate Footprint
In the age of Teslas, solar panels, and buying organic, it can feel like sustainable choices are only for the rich. But the facts show otherwise, with the “wealthiest 1% of people in the world putting out as much carbon pollution as the poorest two-thirds,” according to a November 2023 Oxfam report. Generally, working class…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: How Can I Slow, Spread, & Sink Water With Compacted Clay Soil?
Slowing, spreading, and sinking water are common strategies for gardeners looking to create water wise landscapes. Clay soil poses unique challenges when it comes to slowing, spreading, and sinking. When clay soil is very compacted, water pools on top and very slowly percolates into the ground. Luckily, there are some options to speed up the…
Read MoreFall Quarterly Newsletter – 2023
Dear neighbors, If you were one of the many people who made a last-minute rain barrel purchase, I’m sure your barrels filled during the recent storms! 🌧 Store Notes: Solana Center’s store will be closed tomorrow, September 2nd for the Labor Day weekend. Our batteries and lightbulb recycling program is closed until further notice due to difficulty with the City of Encinitas’ hauler…
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