Sustainability Interest Group - Heidi Sanborn: Product Disposal and Safety (March 4) (Note: new Zoom meeting link)
Lucy, Burke@CalRecycle
|
Grass Roots Circular Economy and Climate Action |
|
Join the Sustainability
Interest Group
at CalEPA to discuss sustainable
|
|
|
|
***Join Zoom Meeting*** |
|
|
Meeting ID: 995 6734 3249 Passcode: 011424 One tap mobile +17193594580,,99567343249#,,,,*011424# US +12532050468,,99567343249#,,,,*011424# US
***The Feb. 18 meeting is cancelled*** ***Save the Date for our March 4 meeting*** ***See “Fair Oaks EcoHousing” video below*** |
Save the Date
|
Heidi Sanborn: Product Disposal and Safety |
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
|
Thanks in large part to Heidi Sanborn, you may have noticed in recent years, more disposal options in California for mercury thermostats, carpet, paint, and sharps and pharmaceuticals. You also may have read about new Extended Producer Responsibility laws requiring product manufacturers to help pay for the disposal of these products as well as newer programs for single-use packaging and food service ware, batteries, and textiles. She has also been instrumental as Chair of the Commission on Recycling Markets and Curbside Recycling 2020-2022 providing recommendations which led to bills addressing:
In the first of a two-part series, we will discuss these laws, with the second part focused on the new Extended Producer Responsibility program for single-use packaging and food service ware.
Heidi Sanborn is the Executive Director of the National Stewardship Action Council and Stewardship Action Foundation. Prior to co-founding the California Product Stewardship Council, she worked as Policy Advisor to the Chair of the California Integrated Waste Management Board (now CalRecycle). Heidi is a sought-after paid keynote speaker throughout the world and won many awards and commendations such as Waste360’s 2024 Women Who Inspire award at Waste Expo and the National Recycling Coalition’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been frequently published on these topics, interviewed on KCET -LA (PBS Station) National Public Radio, ABC 7 San Francisco, NBC Nightly News, Western City Magazine, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine. She is an active member of industry associations and serves as an elected official on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Board of Directors on her personal time. |
|
In a previous meeting… |
|
Fair Oaks EcoHousing |
|
Katie McCammant helped introduce EcoHousing to North America and Marty Maskall is the founding resident of Fair Oaks EcoHousing. Their advanced building standards lowered energy bills while improving social support, sense of community, and physical, emotional, and economic security, at a time when one third of Americans describe themselves as seriously lonely. Check out the video here:
|
Plastics / Packaging
|
I tried to cut out single-use items for a month – and it almost broke me |
|
Guardian, February 10, 2025
Why is flexible plastic so ubiquitous? Because it’s engineered to be excellent at its job. “Flexible plastics save a lot of food waste,” says Mark Miodownik, professor of materials and society at UCL. These wrappings are “managing the humidity inside the package, allowing water to pass through, but they’re also a barrier to oxygen, and oxygen ages food very quickly.”
Adam Herriott, from waste-prevention charity Wrap, agrees that food wrapping is sometimes better than food waste. However, a 2022 Wrap study found that for apples, bananas, broccoli, cucumber and potatoes, the impact of plastic packaging on shelf life was demonstrated to be minimal. What actually made a huge difference was refrigerating at 4C. |
Organic Waste
|
Waste 360, February 12, 2025
As new high-tech innovations advance to tamp down food waste, a simple and age-old concept is garnering attention: frozen foods to prevent spoilage.
Researchers are homing in on American shoppers’ use of this practice hoping to better understand and inform on its potential to curb waste. Their interest is driven by the fact that households toss over 40 million tons of food a year—nearly half of all U.S. discards—yet what consumers stash in their freezers accounts for little of the glut. They trash only 6 percent of frozen foods, according to a new study in the British Food Journal. That’s on average .00220 pounds a week. |
Plastic / Packaging
|
Tiny plastic particles
can amplify pollutant absorption |
|
Phys.org, February 11, 2025 Study
The first study in NanoImpact found that lettuce exposed to both nanoscale plastic particles and common environmental pollutants such as arsenic took up substantially more of the toxic substances than plants exposed to the pollutants alone, confirming the risks of polycontamination of our food chain. A companion study in Microplastics showed similar effects in human intestinal tissue. |
|
Sacramento Area Landscape Rebate Programs |
|
· 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 |
|
See the edible low water use plant example found in the City of Sacramento’s River Friendly Landscape Plant List below.
|
|
Flax |
|
Size: 2 ft. 7 inches x 8 inches Water Requirement: Medium Type: Perennial Edible Uses: Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: oil. Flaxseed is commonly used to improve digestive health or relieve constipation. Flaxseed may also help lower total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Tips for including flaxseed in your diet:
Physical Characteristics: Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. Known Hazards: The seed of some strains contain cyanogenic glycosides in the seed though the toxicity is low, especially if the seed is eaten slowly. It becomes more toxic if water is drunk at the same time. The cyanogenic glycosides are also present in other parts of the plant and have caused poisoning to livestock. Contraindicated with a stricture of the esophagus in no bowel movement conditions and acute gut inflammatory diseases. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Some suggestion it should be avoided with prostate gland diseases. |
|
March Gardening Tips |
|
Prune – Perennials, Shrubs, or Trees |
|
Prune tree and shrub suckers (branches sprouting directly from the root stock beneath the soil). |
|
Protect Vegetable Transplants |
|
Protect young summer vegetable transplants from cold snaps through late March with insulating devices such as hot caps or the Walls of Water. |
|
|
|
Look for Snails |
|
Snails will soon begin their annual trek to your tender, young foliage. Look for them hiding in the evenings beneath plants and piles of lumber now before they start eating. |
|
Place Mulch Around Trees |
|
Add three inches of mulch under your fruit trees and shrubs to keep weeds down. Keep the mulch at least an inch away from the trunks to avoid rot. |
|
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. |
|
|
Plants to Avoid |
|
|
Basil and other herbs, Carrots Cucumbers Squash as part of a three-way companion partnership |
Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, corn, fennel, and eggplant |
|
|
Beans, Chives, Garden peas, Leeks, Legumes, Lettuce, Onions, Radishes, Tomatoes |
Dill, Fennel, Parsnips |
|
|
Cucumbers, Spinach, Lettuce, Peas, Mint, Parsnips, Beans, Chervil, Dill, Oregano, Peppers, Tomatoes |
Melon, Pumpkin, Corn, Sunflowers, Hyssop, Potatoes, Kohlrabi, Turnips |
|
|
Radish, Squash, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Carrot, Lettuce, Chard, Tomatoes, Spinach, Parsley, Basil, Rosemary, Marjoram, Chives, Dill |
Apricots, Corn, Fennel, Beans, Kale, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Cabbage, Cauliflower |
|
|
Beans, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Rutabagas, Turnips, Corn, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes |
Members of the Cabbage Family, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash, Raspberries, Carrots, Asparagus, Sunflowers, Fennel |
|
|
Celery, Lettuce, Bush Beans, Peas, Rosemary, Marjoram, Thyme, Mint, Lavender, Basil, Chives, Leeks, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Radishes, Kale, Onions, Collard Greens, Garlic |
Sunflowers, Beets, Quinoa, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Melons, Pumpkins, Corn |
|
Sacramento Area Planting and Harvest Guide |
Also see the UC Sacramento Vegetable Planting Schedule
|
This group is about sharing bountiful vegetable gardens with others. |
|
Contact Will Cannady for more information. |
|
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. |
|
Sacramento |
|
|
Folsom |
|
Citrus Heights |
|
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
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Don’t Change Your Car’s Motor Oil Too Soon - Check Your Number |
|
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). |
|
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. |
|
Save Electricity, Save Money |
|
…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
|
|
Super Trees! |
|
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. |
|
Up to 10 Free Trees |
|
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. |
|
Free Wood Chips |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Take a Plant, Leaf a Plant *Free* Sacramento (Map) |
|
|
|
Consider donating or volunteering for Harvest Sacramento |
|
Resoil Sacramento |
|
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. |
|
Consider Donating Extra Produce at any area food pantry |
|
|
|
Consider forwarding this email to invite a friend or colleague to:
|
|
Note: |
|
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. |