RESOURCES

Looking for new tools for your climate action journey?

Check out our Climate Solutions Map!

Solana Center's goal is to empower each resident with the knowledge to lead low-waste lifestyles in the way that is most achievable and sustainable. Please find a collection of links, videos, and downloadable resources to help you on your environmental journey.

Soil Health & Compost

Backyard Composting

"Compost It Yourself" Guide (See the full PDF resource here, or jump to the section you need below)

- What is Composting and Why Do it?

- Choose a Compost Style that Works for You

- Composting Basics

- The Compost Continuum

- Harvesting and Using your Compost

- Compost Troubleshooting & Additional Resources

Looking to purchase bins, worms, and supplies?

- Home Composting Resources in the San Diego area

- Composting & Soil Resources in the Unincorporated San Diego County Area

- Solana Center's online store

Learn About Compost Bin Discounts
- Compost Bin Voucher Program for Unincorporated County Residents
- Compost Bin Voucher Program for City of San Diego Residents

Maintaining Your Worm Bin

"Compost It Yourself" Guide (See the full PDF resource here, or jump to the section you need below)
- What is Composting and Why Do it?

- Choose a Compost Style that Works for You

- Vermicomposting Basics (composting with worms)

- Harvesting and Using your Compost

- Compost Troubleshooting & Additional Resources

- Worm Care Guide

- Squiggling Into Summer

- Wiggling Through Winter

- Red Wiggler Reproduction

- Compost is ALIVE! Microorganism ID Guide

Using Finished Castings

- 5 Ways to Harvest Worm Castings

- Compost Tea, Worm Tea, & Leachate

FAQs From the Rotline

- Why do I need bedding in my worm bin?

- Are super dense worm castings still usable?

- What should you do if your worms are trying to escape the bin?

- What are the white things in my worm bin?

Mid-Scale Composting

Related Resources:

Bokashi Step-by-Step Guide or Bokashi Overview
Yard Trimmings Recycling Guide for San Diego County
Resource Guide: 4 most common Healthy Soils Program farming practices
Resource Guide: Healthy Soils Program California Soil Testing Facilities
Schedule a free compost consultation or call our Climate Solutions Hotline at 1-760-436-7986 ex. 700 with waste and compost questions!

Compost bin and wheel barrow garden tools

Water Conservation

Collect

Rain barrel rebates are available to San Diego residents. Learn more below:

SoCal WaterSmart rebate: Apply for $35 rebate after purchase, available for most San Diego region residents. Rebate is limited to two barrels per person. Rebate dependent on application approval. Learn more about rebate at SoCalWaterSmart.org or read our rebate FAQ. Rebates generously provided by the San Diego Water Authority. Contact SoCal WaterSmart at (888) 376-3314 for inquiries.

Unincorporated County rebates: The County of San Diego has added an additional $30 to the above rebate (total $65 return). They also have an additional rebate per gallon saved. County rebates available to unincorporated County residents only. See County Rebate site for details.

City of San Diego rebates: The City of San Diego offers additional rebates for residents. See website for details.Learn more about rain barrels and their benefits.

Protect

Conserve

Related Resources:

Order a rain barrel & rebate information

Waste Reduction

Food waste & organics recycling

- Recycling Organics - What Should Go In The Green Cart? (PDF)

- Preventing Food Waste In Your Home Kitchen (PDF)

- Steps To Being A Zero Waste Consumer Guide (PDF)

- Contaminants in the waste stream (PDF)

- ReFED - a data-driven guide for businesses, government, funders, and nonprofits to collectively reduce food waste at scale.

- Save the Food - Food storage and waste prevention tips

- Produce Good is a local gleaning organization. Additional groups are listed here.

Food Waste Prevention

- Food Waste - A BIG Impact

- Food Storage Strategies

- What Do Food Expiration Dates On Food Really Mean?

- Reduce Your Food Waste during the Holiday Season

- 5 Ways to Reuse Your Kitchen Scraps

- City of Encinitas Food Waste Prevention (Video)

- Food Recovery & Donation

Organics Recycling

- Join the Kitchen Caddy Challenge!

- Recycling Organics - What Should Go In The Green Cart?

- Residential Green Bin Contaminants (Video)

Curbside recycling

Waste Prevention Tips & Special Recycling (e-waste, plastic bags, etc.)

Resources for Businesses

Waste prevention resource guides

Videos

Legislation

Other Resources:

Technical Assistance & Consultations: Contact us for help preparing your San Diego region business to comply with SB 1383 and other regulations.

Tool lending library

Home, school, and community gardens are an important part of healthy, sustainable communities, and Solana Center supports these efforts on a regular basis! Our Tool Lending Library provides a variety of tools, from basic garden spades and pruning tools to a post-driver and a long-handled fruit picker.

Borrow Tools

Sustainability Shop

Looking for tools to make your home or business more sustainable? Order online from our store to pick up from our office in Encinitas.

Shop