CLIMATE SOLUTIONS HUB

Across the globe, communities are grappling with the need to prepare for and respond to climate change. With the support of the community and local sponsors, our Climate Solutions Hub addresses natural resource protection, waste prevention, and soil health.

We seek to provide a green space for hands-on education and accessible climate-related tools for all ages and walks of life. Visitors are greeted by a passionate group of staff and volunteers who take action to serve the needs of the greater San Diego community. Learn more about our on-site programs below!

Beginning November 3, 2025, please note the following changes:

All Sustainability Shop purchases must be completed online (in-person sales are discontinued except for our used inventory) https://solana-center.square.site/ for pick up on Thursdays and Fridays, 12:00 - 4:00 pm at our headquarters located at 137 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024. We’re clearing out inventory - SHOP OUR SALE!
Rental reservations must be completed online (in-person reservations are discontinued). Visit https://solanacenter.myturn.com/library/ to rent Tools, Green Convene, and Induction Cooktops for pick up on Thursdays and Fridays, 12:00 - 4:00 pm at our headquarters located at 137 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
Plastic Beach drop off for subscribers will continue on Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00 - 4:00 pm at our headquarters located at 137 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Tool Lending Library

A well-organized shed wall with various gardening and yard tools, including shovels, rakes, hoes, pruners, and loppers, hung and stored on racks and shelves.

Gardens are an important part of healthy, sustainable communities. With more than 150 tools borrowed last year, this local lending program helps to encourage a circular, sharing economy by minimizing cost barriers for those interested in gardening or completing home projects.

Solana Center's "library" of garden tools are available for community members to borrow for just $5 and includes a variety of tools, from basic garden spades and pruning tools to a post-driver and a long-handled fruit picker.

Learn More

Green Convene Dishware Loaner Program

Empty white plate with a glass of water, silverware wrapped in a checkered napkin, and scattered orange, yellow, and pink flowers on a burlap tablecloth.

Social gatherings are a central part of a thriving community, but these events tend to result in the unintentional creation of single-use waste. Waste created at these events often cannot be recycled because it is food-soiled or made of non-recyclable material.

Green Convene is Solana Center’s solution to prevent disposable single-use waste created at gatherings, with 725 place settings rented last year!

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Plastic Beach Collection Site

Fresh produce including garlic, cherry tomatoes on the vine, lime, orange, and asparagus wrapped in plastic bags on a white surface.

Thanks to our partner Plastic Beach for making recycling easier for plastic materials that can’t go in the standard blue bin. They work to ensure all of the plastic bags and film are staying in the U.S. and being recycled nearby, keeping the loop traceable and closed.

You must be a subscriber to use the plastic film drop-off. Donate or sign up for a $14 subscription service to drop off your soft plastics at our center in Encinitas (more information HERE) You will receive a reusable collection bag during your first visit, which you can then fill with plastics. Drop off the full bag and pick up an empty one for the next cycle!

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Sustainability Shop

Soil temperature gauge with cartoon worm, showing a temperature of about 60°F or 15.5°C, inserted into composted soil.

End of Year Sale!

Our Sustainability Shop offers affordable supplies for composting, cleaning, and diverting food scraps, as well as gift ideas. Check out our rain barrels for capturing water and preventing runoff pollution.

Shop

Induction Cooktops Rental

Empty black cast iron skillet on a stovetop surrounded by fresh tomatoes, garlic cloves, a lime, a green apple, a whisk, a pepper grinder, a garlic bulb, a small bowl of peppercorns, a bottle of oil, and a white cloth with black pepper scattered on it.

Induction cooking does not emit fumes, protecting you and your household from dangerous carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and more. It also uses less energy and heats & cools more quickly than either gas and standard electric stoves.

Coming soon, you can rent a cooktop and pick it up at Solana Center.

Residents can reserve to check out a Duxtop 9100mc induction cooktop and a compatible pan. Explore the benefits of reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions with home electrification.

Learn More