Recycle Your Christmas Tree 

Still enjoying your Christmas tree (or avoiding taking it down!?)? When you're ready, recycle responsibly! Recycling your Christmas tree gives it new life as compost, mulch, or woodchips and eliminates the presence of trees in our landfills. Luckily, it's easy to recycle your tree! There are many drop-off locations throughout the San Diego region and many waste haulers that'll pick up trees curbside if they fit into a yard waste bin. If you have any questions about recycling a tree in your area, check out WasteFreeSD.org. 

»Find where to recycle your tree

New Year's Resolutions for 2017!

The start of the new year gives us a chance to evaluate what's important in our lives and make new goals. Are you interested in reducing your carbon footprint and living a more sustainable life? Start your zero waste journey in 2017! Read the latest blog for ideas to get you started or join us for a free Zero Waste Workshop this month.

»Read full blog

Volunteer Spotlight

This month, we're highlighting an amazing group of young ladies, Girl Scout Troop #1165! As Daisies in 2013, the ten girls started their quest to “Make the World A Better Place” by getting involved in various volunteer opportunities, like beach cleanups through our Adopt-A-Beach program. Through their first cleanup at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, they learned about the harmful effects of trash on our ecosystems by diligently tracking the items they found. The troop has been active in the program since early 2015 and adopted Moonlight Beach as their site. Recently, the troop’s group name was placed on the sign at Moonlight Beach, a small token of appreciation for their hard work! The girls are looking forward to participating for the first time at the 15th Annual Creek to Bay Cleanup on April 22nd, where they'll combine their community service outreach project with the celebration of 100 years of Girl Scouts in San Diego. We are so thankful to have such an enthusiastic group involved in our organization and programs!

Girl Scout Troop #1165 truly embodies their mission to make the world a better place, starting in San Diego. 

»Learn about our volunteer opportunities 

Think Blue Brigade Spotlight

Thanks to support from the City of San Diego, ILACSD educators host the Think Blue Brigade, a club of eco-conscious high school students who meet monthly to explore environmental issues. One focus of the group is storm water pollution prevention. In December, TBB members dissected albatross boluses, pellets of non-digestible food regurgitated by the sea birds. Though albatross reside at Midway Atoll, a wildlife refuge, they are regularly exposed to trash from the Pacific Garbage Patch. While hunting, albatross accidentally ingest trash, some of which is dispelled from their bodies within a bolus. Upon dissecting the boluses, TBB members found fishing line, candy wrappers, bottle caps, various plastic fragments, and some natural items. TBB members utilized the bolus debris to create an image of an albatross, using art to inspire others to protect our marine life. If you're interested in joining the Think Blue Brigade, email Becca at bjaffe@cleansd.org.

»Learn more about Think Blue Brigade