Posts by admin
What Do “Best By” Dates On Food Really Mean?
Have you ever found yourself wondering about the “best by” date on food items? Are they still safe to eat even though the date has passed? How long will your favorite food or beverage stay safe? Surprisingly, the answer is not on the date label. Most date labels tell you about food quality, not safety. We…
Read MoreReduce Your Food Waste This Holiday Season
Did you know an average American throws away a pound of food daily? 1 On top of that, Americans generate 43% more household waste each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, 53% of which is food waste.2 Read more about holiday food waste impacts at the ReFed site. To bring you tips on how to…
Read MoreCompost Bin Discounts and Vouchers
Looking to start composting at home? Many jurisdictions throughout the San Diego region offer discount programs for their residents. Your eligibility for discounted bins will depend on what jurisdiction you live in. It is important to check your exact address, because you may not necessarily live in the city listed in your address, e.g. a Vista address…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: How Can I Harvest My Worms’ Castings?
The ability to harvest small handfuls of worm castings as needed is a thing of composting beauty. However, in order to ensure that your vermicomposting system diverts the greatest volume of organic material and supports the healthiest worm population, it’s important to fully harvest and refresh the tray(s) every so often! You will know that…
Read MoreBack to School: How Can My Child’s Lunch Be Made Low or Zero Waste?
Yes, it absolutely can! By making school lunches more eco-friendly, and by encouraging your kid to recycle and compost, you can significantly reduce your household’s waste. Some helpful guidelines are… An added bonus of paying attention to these guidelines is that you can determine what materials your child’s lunch containers are made of. For example,…
Read MoreFrom the Rotline: Where should I position my compost bin?
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a location for your compost bin. Sun or shade? A worm bin is best placed in the shade. Worms do not fare well in hot temperatures or during a deluge of water during a rainstorm. By placing them in the shade, they will be more…
Read MorePicnic in sustainable style!
The weather is warm and the sun is shining, making it a lovely time to picnic. It’s easy to wrap your picnic food in plastic wrap, put it all in a bag and throw all your trash away at the nearest trashcan. However, the earth, the water, the landfill, and your garden will all thank…
Read MoreCompost: It’s Alive!
The physical and chemical conditions in a compost heap seem logical if you think about what compost really is: an enormous pile of food for billions of minute organisms. These microorganisms have certain chemical requirements, including carbon for energy, nitrogen to build proteins, and oxygen for respiration. The most numerous organisms in a compost pile…
Read MoreCheck out the work we did together! | Impact Report
We are proud to share our organization’s latest Impact Report. With the support and enthusiasm of our community, we: Undeterred by continued pandemic-related restrictions and challenges, Solana Center retooled our programs for virtual education; contactless electronic, universal, and food waste collection; online purchases; and even social-distanced and virtual volunteer opportunities. The dedication of our staff…
Read MoreWorm Tea, Compost Tea & Leachate
Did you know that you can steep your finished compost or vermicompost in water to create a nutrient-rich liquid called “compost tea” that enriches soil and reduces plant pests and disease? Worm tea, a type of compost tea made from vermicompost, has the same benefits as worm castings but in liquid form. Castings are produced…
Read More