Sustainability Interest Group - the Problem with Plastics
Lucy, Burke@CalRecycle
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Grass Roots Circular Economy and Climate Action |
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Join the Sustainability
Interest Group
at CalEPA to discuss sustainable
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Or call in (audio only) +1 916-619-7284, 955660965# United States, Sacramento Phone Conference ID: 955 660 965# Find a local number | Reset PIN
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The Problem with Plastic |
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
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In our last meeting on fast fashion, I mentioned more than 70% of all textiles are made of synthetic fibers (by some accounts), which can be toxic. Actually, close to 13,000 chemicals are in the many types of plastic polymers, and many, such as formaldehyde, cadmium, and lead, are toxic. Plus, as microplastics break up into smaller pieces and increase their total surface area, they accumulate pollutants already in the environment, as well as bacteria and viruses, including human pathogens. They’re more like an invasive species than an ordinary poison.
In our next meeting, we will watch a video and talk about the problem with plastic using resources including A Poison Like No Other; How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies by Matt Simon. Then we’ll discuss what SB 54 (Allen, 2022) is doing about the problem in packaging and food service ware. |
Plastics / Packaging
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Microplastics are ‘silently spreading from soil to salad to humans’ |
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Phys.org, May 22, 2025
A review from Murdoch University has stressed that agricultural soils now hold around 23 times more microplastics than oceans. Among the revelations in the comprehensive evaluation is that plastics in soil may be exposed to up to 10,000 chemical additives, most of which are unregulated in agriculture.
"These microplastics are turning food-producing land into a plastic sink," said Ph.D. candidate Joseph Boctor, who led the study now published in Environmental Sciences Europe. |
Textiles
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Resource Recycling, May 19, 2025
Textile recycling was a novel addition to this year’s Plastics Recycling Conference, but as several experts said at the event, the topic’s roots go back centuries, and its contemporary issues and developments are familiar to just about any recycled material.
Another panel discussion dug into California’s SB 707, an EPR law for textiles that passed late last year and is the first of its kind in the U.S. Like most EPR programs for other materials, the law requires producers of apparel or textile articles to form a producer responsibility organization that will conduct a needs assessment and set recycling targets over the next few years, among other duties.
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Nature
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California State Library, [correction:] May 29, 2025 | Zoom meeting
You asked for it and we heard you! Learn how to research a particular type of legal question by watching a law librarian do so live! Part of our brand new “Office Hour” series, this program will focus on a particular research challenge that you, the viewer, are struggling with. For this session, we will focus on California legislative history research and resources that are available to you online. Want a say in what we cover? Submit research puzzles that have you stumped to csl...@library.ca.gov (with the subject line: For the Office Hour) and then attend the session to see if we research your question live! |
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Sacramento Area Landscape Rebate Programs |
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· State of California Turf Replacement Program · Sacramento County Water Agency Cash for Grass o $2000 rebate · Sacramento Suburban Water District Rebate includes:
· Sacramento City’s River-Friendly Landscape Rebates cover a maximum of: o $3,000 at $1.50 per square of grass converted on the front, side and back yard o $400 for materials used to convert to drip irrigation for front, side or back yard o $400 for adding EPA WaterSense Labeled Smart Irrigation Controller. · Carmichael Water District Turf Replacement Rebate · Citrus Heights Water District Rebate Program
· Folsom Cash for Grass Turf Replacement Rebate
· Placer County Lawn Replacement Rebate Program · Roseville Cash for Grass Utility Rebates · West Sacramento Smart Controller Rebate and Water Wise House Call · Woodland Mulch Rebate · Yolo County Water Conservation Rebate Program |
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See the edible low water use plant example found in the City of Sacramento’s River Friendly Landscape Plant List below.
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Chinese Jujube |
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Size: 32 x 23 feet Water Requirement: Low Type: Tree Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. Mealy and sweet. A sourish-sweet flavor. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried like dates or cooked in puddings, cakes, breads, jellies, soups etc. The dried fruit has the nicest taste. The fruits are often left to become wrinkled and spongy, which increases their sweetness, and are then eaten fresh or cooked. The dried fruit can also be ground into a powder. This powder is used in the preparation of 'kochujang', a fermented hot pepper-soybean paste that resembles miso. Fruits contain one or two seeds. The fruit contains about 8.7% sugars, 2.6% protein, 1.4% ash, 1.7% pectin and 1.3% tannin. The fruit is about 25mm long, though it can be larger in cultivated varieties. The fruit can be used as a coffee substitute.
Physical Characteristics: Ziziphus jujuba is a deciduous Tree, growing at a fast rate. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Known Hazards: Caution in diabetics on allopathic medication. |
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May Gardening Tips |
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Tomatoes and Peppers |
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It’s not too late to plant summer vegetables like tomatoes and peppers in mid-May. |
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Look for Snails |
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Snails will soon begin their annual trek to your tender, young foliage. Chewed plant leaves indicate snail damage. Look for them in damp, dark areas under boards, flowerpots and beneath green plant foliage (e.g., hostas and agapanthus). Safer, effective snail control products contain iron phosphate as the active ingredient. |
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Snow Pea Harvesting |
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Plant loose-leaf lettuce seeds now before it gets too hot. Plant them to the north of taller growing vegetables like tomatoes for summer shade. |
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Place Mulch Around Trees |
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Add three inches of mulch under your fruit trees and shrubs to keep weeds down. Keep a six-inch ring of mulch away from the trunks to avoid rot. |
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Pruning – Perennials, Shrubs, or Trees |
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Prune tree and shrub suckers (branches sprouting directly from the root stock beneath the soil). |
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Check out the companion plants along with the harvest and plant guide below for plants to plant by seed or transplant. Consider companion planting caveats when compared to intercropping. |
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Plants to Avoid |
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Pole Beans, Thyme, Squash, Potatoes, Dill, Mint |
Cabbages, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Fennel |
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Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, eggplants, Peas, Radishes, Rosemary, and Sunflowers |
Basil, Members of the Onion Family, and Kohlrabi |
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Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplants, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rosemary, Strawberries, Squash, Tomatoes, and Kale |
Members of the Onion Family, Peppers, Sunflowers |
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Peas, corn, beans, lentils, legumes, radishes, beets, carrots, and onions. |
Potatoes, Sage, Melons |
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The Onion family, Bush Beans, Collard Greens, Lettuce and Spinach, Radishes |
Cucumbers, Squash, Pumpkins, Potatoes |
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Radishes, Lettuces |
Melons, Cucumber, and Zucchini |
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Radishes, Carrots, Borage, Nasturtiums, Rosemary, Oregano |
Beets, Onions, Potatoes |
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Sacramento Area Planting and Harvest Guide |
Also see the UC Sacramento Vegetable Planting Schedule
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This group is about sharing bountiful vegetable gardens with others. |
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Contact Will Cannady for more information. |
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In 2019, Martha Hogan started a local @cityofwestsac Facebook group called #WestsacCropSwap. They share and swap fruits and veggies home grown LOCALLY that would otherwise go to waste. If you know of families that may be in need of healthy fruits or veggies please have them reach out. |
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Sacramento |
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Folsom |
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Citrus Heights |
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Rancho Cordova |
Check out what you can borrow from the Sacramento Library in these categories:
Arts & Crafts ● Electronics & Technology ● Games & Hobbies ● Health
Kitchen Equipment ● Musical Instruments ● Recreation ● Science and Maker
Tools ● Video Games ● Yard Games
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Oak Park What: Free repair: bikes, clothes, lamps, tools, small appliances, knife sharpening. Plus, coffee, tea, snacks, beans & rice When: 11am-2pm, 2nd Saturday of every month Where: Community Shop Class, 3818 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento (turn into parking lot behind Trips For Kids Bike Shop)
West Sacramento What: West Sac residents can repair their bikes, clothing, and electronics for free. When: 10am-1pm, last Saturday of every month Where: Arthur F. Turner Library at 1212 Merkley Ave, West Sacramento. |
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Check out the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA), which supports bike infrastructure and safety through advocacy, their Bike Valet program, Ride Ready Repair, BikeMatchSac, bicycle safety at night through Lights On, skills training, and Support for Businesses. |
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Did you know you could get $20 per month for reducing the number of cars on the road and biking in 11 times per month by completing the Bicycle Commuter Program Quarterly Self-Certification form? Check out the Bicycle Commuter Program FAQ for more information. |
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Don’t Change Your Car’s Motor Oil Too Soon - Check Your Number |
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Use CalRecycle’s Check Your Number website to find the manufacturer-recommended oil change intervals for most vehicles (2000 - 2021).
Used oil can contain such contaminants as lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, chlorides, cadmium, and chlorinated compounds (CalRecycle). The “every 3,000 miles or every three months” rule is outdated because of advances in both engines and oil. Many automakers have oil-change intervals at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles and six or 12 months (Consumer Reports). |
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Fuel economy is reduced by 0.2 percent for every 1 pound per square inch (psi) your car is underinflated. That means you could save up to 3 percent in gas mileage, according to the DMV, which is naturally a little more environmentally friendly, too. |
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Save Electricity, Save Money |
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…and save the Planet by running your dishwasher, washer, dryer, or EV charger in off-peak times (typically avoid 4-9pm). Depending on your electricity provider, download, print, and keep handy the rate details schedule from SMUD (like below), PG&E, VCE (Yolo County), or Roseville Electric.
SMUD Rate Schedule
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Super Trees! |
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Consider planting any of these Super Trees! They’re water-wise for the Sacramento area—all but the loquat tree are on the City of Sacramento’s River Friendly Landscape Plant List, they have edible fruit (pomegranate or strawberry) or flavorful leaves (sweet bay), they attract beneficial wildlife, provide cooling shade in the summer, most let warming light through in the winter, and all but the olive have fruit and are free to SMUD customers (subject to availability). Check out SMUD’s Free Shade Tree Program and Free Tree List. |
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Up to 10 Free Trees |
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The Sacramento Tree Foundation will give you up to 10 free trees for your yard. Check out the Shady 80 recommended trees for a cooler Sacramento region. You can also volunteer to help the City plant 25,000 new trees per year through 2045. |
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Free Wood Chips |
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Adding wood chips to your yard each year will lead to healthier plant growth by reducing weeds, cooling the soil in the summer, conserving water, and slowly adding organic matter as it breaks down. You can get free wood chips by signing up for ChipDrop or you can search for tree trimmers in your area, then call or complete their website form to request free wood chips the next time they cut down and shred a tree in your neighborhood. SMUD customers can also pick up wood chips. ChipDrop may give you up to 20 cubic yards, which could cover 9 inches of a standard ranch-style home/property; more than the recommended 4 to 6 inches. To prevent nitrogen depletion or spreading diseases, only apply as ground cover in shrub beds, natural areas, and around trees while keeping the mulch away from the tree trunks and vegetables or annual flower beds. |
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Debbie Arrington is a master rosarian. Kathy Morrison Hellesen is a UCCE master gardener. Together they have more than 60 years of gardening experience in California, most of that in Sacramento's grower-friendly climate. They believe all gardening is local. They both love to cook what they grow. They also are longtime journalists (at the Sacramento Bee and elsewhere) who believe Sacramento deserves local gardening coverage. |
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Take a Plant, Leaf a Plant *Free* Sacramento (Map) |
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Consider donating or volunteering for Harvest Sacramento |
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Resoil Sacramento |
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ReSoil Sacramento advocates for three things that we can do to address our changing climate: 1) compost, 2) grow our own food, and 3) build regenerative, climate-resilient landscapes. Check out the latest and get involved. |
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Consider Donating Extra Produce at any area food pantry |
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Consider forwarding this email to invite a friend or colleague to:
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Note: |
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1) Every pound of homegrown vegetables you grow can cut 2 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions when compared to the store-bought counterpart, although what you eat matters more (e.g., fruits, nuts, and vegetables) than how it’s transported. 2) A single home compost bin diverts approximately 646 pounds of waste from landfill each year. |
