Try Composting!

Ever thought about starting up your own composting bin? The composting process turns organic material such as leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps into a nutrient rich soil product. The Port has had a composting program in place for over a year, and is currently preventing about 300 pounds of our food waste from entering the landfill every month! Composting has several benefits for both the homeowner and the environment:

• It reduces waste from your kitchen and/or yard.
• It benefits your yard by improving soil health without the use of chemical fertilizers (which can enter the storm drain system if not used properly).
• It conserves water by helping the soil hold more moisture, which reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
• It saves money by reducing the need to purchase chemical fertilizers and soil amendments.

Composting is easy and inexpensive, and you can even forego the cost of buying a compost bin by building your own! Check out the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, a local non-profit organization that provides education and resources about composting. Their Guide to Backyard Composting provides a great introduction to how composting works and explains how you can easily get your own project started at home.

How to Repel Energy Vampires

Did you know that in the average home, up to 40% of the energy you're paying for is used to power devices you're not even using? A vampire load is the energy that's used up by appliances when they're plugged in, but not in use. Simply by being plugged in, many of your gadgets are sinking their teeth into your energy bill (and your carbon footprint). TVs, DVD players, stereos, computers, and cell phone chargers are notorious energy suckers (basically, any device with a charging light that remains on when the device is off).

 

There's no need to wear garlic to keep the vampires away... simply stock up on some "smart" power strips, which prevent your appliances from draining energy. Or, if you don't want to buy new power strips, simply unplug your current power strips or appliances when you're not using them.

 

Visit your local electronics store or search "smart power strips" online for a variety of options.

100% Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags

Did you know that dog waste is a significant contributor to bacterial pollution in our beaches and bays? Dog waste that is washed into creeks, rivers and the storm drain system introduces bacteria into our region's waterways, resulting in those menacing "Beach Closed" signs you may have seen at your favorite beach.

Be sure to pick up your dog's waste in a bag and dispose of it properly in the trash! Better yet, consider using 100% biodegradable dog waste bags, because the plastic in conventional bags can take hundreds of years to break down in our landfills. 100% biodegradable dog waste bags meet rigid specifications in all 50 states, which require the material to degrade at the same rate as an apple without leaving any remaining plastic fragments behind.

Click here to learn more about 100% biodegradable dog waste bag options.

Green Apps for iPhone Users

Are you one of the 6.4 million people in the United States who are addicted to their iPhone? If so, consider downloading a few applications that can help you be green! Here's a list of some handy applications that you may want to add:

• iRecycle: Finds recycling and disposal locations anywhere in the country using Earth911's database. Search by item or location to find drop-off sites near you. FREE!

• GoodGuide: Contains information about the ingredients of over 75,000 household products. It provides ratings of the products' health, environmental and social impacts. FREE!

• Seafood Guide: Lists most commercially sold seafood in North America and rates them on the sustainability of their populations. FREE!

• Carbon Calc: Calculates your personal carbon footprint. FREE!

• Get Green: Sends you a green tip every day on your iPhone. $.99

• 3rd Whale: Finds a wide variety of green businesses near you, ranging from organic restaurants to bicycle shops. You can specify businesses within walking, biking or driving distance. $1.99

• GreenMeter: Uses the iPhone accelerometer to measure your vehicle's fuel consumption, efficiency, and costs to help you save money. It also provides detailed information about your vehicle's carbon footprint and presents graphs of fuel consumption. $5.99

If you're not an iPhone user, please pass this tip along to a gadget-geek friend!

Water-Wise Tree Care

Have you ever considered the numerous economic, environmental and social benefits that are provided by trees? Here's a few interesting facts:

• The presence and beauty of properly planted and maintained trees can increase a home's resale value by as much as 15%.
• Tree roots stabilize soil, which reduces erosion.
• Trees cool parks and buildings by providing shade, which reduces energy costs.
• Trees improve air quality by removing pollutants. They also play a vital role in creating the air we breathe... two mature trees produce enough oxygen for a family of four!

In this time of drought throughout the San Diego region, it's important to preserve any trees on your property while using a minimal amount of water. If you'd like to learn more about proper tree-care during a drought, check out this fact sheet published by the San Diego Regional Urban Forests Council... it's full of tips to help you maximize the benefits of your trees.