Steering a Community Steering a Community Towards Zero WasteTowards Zero Waste

A Case Study: Ocean Beach, A Case Study: Ocean Beach, CACA

• Population of 1.2 million• Provides free waste and recycling

collection to single-familysingle-family homes only• Budget Problems = Poor Recycling

Program

City of San DiegoCity of San Diego

City of San DiegoCity of San Diego

Paper37%

Putrescibles19%

Plant Debris10%

Textiles4%

Polymers11%

Soils1%

Wood4%

Reuse3% Chemicals

0.3%

Metals6%

Glass3%

Ceramics2%

• San Diego landfill is due to close in 2012

• Just meeting AB939 mandate at 52%

• No multifamily or commercial recycling program

Zero Waste San DiegoZero Waste San Diego

• Committee within the San Diego Chapter of CRRA

• Two sections– Policy– Programs

• Comprised of volunteers• Grassroots basis

“It’s not about imposing things from the top down. It’s really about building them up from the bottom” Alan Keyes

Ocean Beach: BackgroundOcean Beach: Background

• Population of 27,000 low to medium density• More renters than owners• Progressive beach community including business owners

Ocean Beach: BackgroundOcean Beach: Background

• Approximately 120 businesses• Community residents are socially active and liberal

Ocean Beach: ChallengesOcean Beach: Challenges

• Approximately 35% diversion rate

• Commercial rent are rising– Concerned about

additional costs, including recycling

Goals of InitiativeGoals of Initiative

1. Create a Zero Waste Community2. Educate and train community leaders 3. Implement model to the rest of the city

Create a Zero Waste Create a Zero Waste CommunityCommunity

• Blue out the Businesses• Add a recycling bin to each waste bin

– On the streets, parks and beaches• Green out the Community

– Food Waste Collections• For the businesses, farmers markets, events, residents

– Community Gardens– Promote composting and vermi-composting

• Reuse Events• Educate

StrategyStrategy

Identify Stakeholders• Organized Groups• Citizens

Organized GroupsOrganized Groups

Town Councils, Planning Boards, Main Street Town Councils, Planning Boards, Main Street Association (Business Industry) and Green Association (Business Industry) and Green BusinessesBusinesses

• Met with each group• Educated them about zero waste• Asked them to adopt our zero waste

resolution• Asked them to write a letter to the City

Council asking them to adopt our zero waste resolution

• Assigned a liaison

CitizensCitizens• Created an interactive listserv

• Showed two movies with a meeting afterwards at a Public Library– “An Inconvenient Truth”– “Our Synthetic Seas”

• Hosted a zero waste workshop– 60 people attended– City Attorney spoke– Gained 14 volunteers – Divided in 3 sections (Commingled,

Reuse/Repair, Organics)

• Sent out press releases to all the media outlets asking for volunteers and concerned citizens

• Host booths at events, Earth Day, farmer markets

ImplementationImplementation

• Meet with volunteers to brainstorm ideas and events for the next year

• Divided tasks into three groups– Commingled– Reuse/Repair– Organics

CommingledCommingledApplied for DOC

grant– Blue out the

businesses – Blue out the

community– Community

Outreach

Blue Out the BusinessesBlue Out the BusinessesBased on San Luis Obispo's model

• Have the haulers on board– All 3 haulers are in the community– Set up collections as we meet with each

business

• Have the businesses on board• Purchase bins to place in and outside

the businesses• Provide educational material

Blue Out the CommunityBlue Out the Community

• Make Sure On Board– Environmental Services– Park and Recreational– Community Organization

• Purchase community appropriate bins for the streets, beaches and parks

• Organize collection on the spot

OutreachOutreach

• Host a booth at farmer markets and other special events

• Door to door education• Provide workshops and local talks• Articles in local newspapers and business

newsletters

Zero Waste!Zero Waste!

Reuse/RepairReuse/Repair

Reuse Fair 2 times a year• October and May• Large yard sale for residents only with

limitations• Provide booths for education

– Local non-profits– City of San Diego Hazmat

• Provide booths for item drop offs– Running shoes– Eyeglasses/sunglasses– CDs

• Offer repair workshops– Eyeglasses– Shoes

OrganicsOrganics• Green out Businesses

– Provide food collections for the businesses• Obstacles – where to put

it?• Food waste collection at farmer

markets and special events– Provide bins and collection

• Master composting classes• Sell composting and vermi-

composting bins

• Refresh our comprehensive plan

• Engage other communities with our model

Next StepsNext Steps

Thank You!Thank You!

Zero Waste San Diegocontact@zerowastesandiego.org

www.zerowastesandiego.org