Going Green: the Local Scene Area entrepreneurs provide a myriad of eco-friendly businesses
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he tri-city area of San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano is home to a community full of environmentally-friendly businesses. So, as part of this year’s Green Issue, we are taking a look at one entity from each of our three cities “greening” the local business scene.
CNG United Frustrated by a declining real estate market, in 2007 San Clemente resident Michael Laub made a decision to ditch his career as a real estate broker in favor of a new, environmentally friendly venture. As an entrepreneur, Laub said he felt the need to reinvent himself and write his own ticket. He did just that when creating CNG United, a company focused on the conversion of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles to compressed natural gas and teaching automotive technicians how to convert and repair CNG-powered automobiles. “I wanted to go into something environmentally friendly and considered solar power, wind power and artificial turf before stumbling across natural gas. I had my ‘ah-ha moment’ that year when gasoline prices topped $4 per gallon and natural gas was only 83 cents per gallon,” he said. Laub said the idea really took hold when he learned that “natural gas is the first by-product that comes out of the ground when drilling for petroleum, is 80 to 90 percent cleaner, less expensive and an abundant resource right here under U.S. soil.” Since opening its doors, CNG United has educated nearly 400 technicians on the ins and outs of conversion and that number continues to grow by 15 to 20 per month. As a general rule, a conversion costs somewhere between $4,500 to $5,000, depending on the vehicle, engine size and the size of tank chosen, according to Laub. “Big savings in fuel costs add up and the conversion quickly pays for itself. And with the new technology, vehicles maintain the same relative ‘gas’ mileage and performance.” Technicians visit San Clemente to learn how to convert and repair CNG cars and the company also holds off-site training sessions and has handled conversions for many municipalities and companies. Recent in-state work includes the conversion of five ambulances in Long Beach, a plumbing fleet in Rancho Santa Margarita, the replacement of about 50 CNG tanks for the city of Hawthorne’s municipal fleet and numerous privateparty conversions and tank replacements. Next month, Laub’s company will be working with the city of St. Louis, Mo. to provide mechanic training through a program dubbed The St. Louis Project, created to help war veterans and prisoners learn a new, marketable skill. “We’re also working with a couple of federal prisons in Florida, where we will teach the instructors in the prison how to train the inmates to convert cars,” Laub said. “The benefits are twofold. Not only will prisoners have a marketable skill upon release, inmate labor costs pennies on the dollar and during their time in jail these new skills can be used toward converting the prisons’ fleet of vehicles.” The training program also provides curriculum to other auto mechanics programs in high schools and colleges. Wayne Richardson, a Colorado-based auto technician of 25 years and recent CNG student said learning this skill has become a necessity in his business. “This is the wave of the future. Our fuel consumption in this country demands that we move toward this technology. Many, many of my customers are inquiring about it right now,” Richardson said.
Laub agreed wholeheartedly. “Based on motor vehicle department reports that show the group of over 150,000 registered CNG vehicles in the U.S. continues to increase along with demand for our training program, the way I see it, we have plenty of room to grow,” Laub said. For more information about CNG United, visit www.cngunited.com —Andrea Swayne
Goin Native In 2009, after 30 years as a hairdresser, Marianne Taylor decided to make a style change of her own by turning her passion for gardening into her new life’s work. With help from a business partner, Taylor started Goin Native, a series of gardening classes from a small property near her home in the Los Rios Historic District in San Juan Capistrano. “The mission statement is to get people aware of sustainability and get them involved in the garden,” Taylor said. “I call myself a teacher and a ‘dirt therapist’ because you learn a lot about yourself when you get your hands in the dirt.”
Goin Native’s Los Rios Garden Angels have planted and care for more than 50 types of native and drought tolerant plant species in Los Rios Park. Photo by Brian Park
But along with classes on planting succulents and cooking organic foods from the garden, Goin Native also provides a public service in the form of some generous green thumbs. Twice a month, Taylor leads a group of eight to 15 volunteers, known as the Garden Angels, to Los Rios Park, where they do the lion’s share of the work in looking after more than 50 plant species in the 6.5-acre city park. Since Goin Native started at the same time the park opened, Taylor and her dedicated volunteers have spearheaded many of the landscape changes to the park, specifically in the area surrounding the Montanez Adobe. “The look that we wanted was to plant it in such a way that it appears as if it was designed naturally without human hands,” Taylor said. Most of the plants in Los Rios Park are native or drought tolerant species. In addition to California poppies, the park also boasts buddleia, Cleveland sage, purple sage and a variety of succulents. In recent years, more succulents and drought tolerant plants have been introduced due to severely less rainfall, according to Taylor. Parts of the park feature a timed, drip
system to water plants, but an unusually dry winter season has forced volunteers to use garden hoses more often. “The plants rely on local rains, but unfortunately, we’re in the middle of a drought, so we’ve been giving them a hand up,” Taylor said. “We’ve also added a few more aloe vera plants because they need a little less water than the drought tolerant plants.” The Garden Angels have also taken it upon themselves to boost the dwindling numbers of Monarch butterflies and bees. In the case of the butterflies, volunteers have planted milkweed, which is the primary food source for Monarch larvae, or caterpillars. “We really want the Monarch butterflies to be a specialty here. They’re a migratory species, so we want them to find a pathway here and call San Juan Capistrano their home, just like the swallows,” Taylor said. For more information about Goin Native or to volunteer with the Garden Angels, visit www.goinnative.net. —Brian Park
Organic Tree Juice Bar Unlike many juice bar chains, Organic Tree Juice Bar in Dana Point takes an artisanal approach to their products and an environmentally responsible approach to production, packaging and food waste disposal. Started in 2011 by Brian and Rachel Dunn from Capistrano Beach, the juice bar is located in the back of the Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala near Dana Point Harbor. “Many of our competitors start with ready-made blends,” said Rachel Dunn. “We start with only raw, organic materials and know where all of our food comes from.” Dunn said the idea for the juice bar was first hatched by her husband Brian Dunn, who has been a wheatgrass, natural foods and yoga enthusiast for years. And while the two were developing their concept for Organic Tree, they worked to create a company that would incorporate the most sustainable methods of operation and the best organic products they could find. “We make sure to buy as much of our organic produce as we can locally and found one of our main suppliers in San Juan Capistrano, South Coast Farms,” Dunn said. “Sourcing close to home also cuts down on transportation costs and the related pollution it creates.” The idea of farm-to-table food and environmentally friendly practices, carry across the company’s entire operation. Juices are served in either compostable cups made from corn starch or reusable glass jars. And the pulp by-product created in the juicing process is returned to South Coast Farms, to be used as compost. Organic Tree has become a favorite gathering spot where health- and environmentally-conscious locals meet, converse and enjoy the benefits of juicing, a subject that the well-educated staff has an impressive knowledge of. “Our employees are super mindful and want to do things the right way, the green and healthy way,” Dunn said. “Not only because their bosses say so, but because they feel an inner responsibility.” Their menu includes juice blends designed to address health issues, provide energy, cleanse and just for enjoyment of the fresh, natural flavors. The Dunn’s will soon be expanding their business to include a new venture, Organic Tree Landscaping, focused on chemical-free eco-friendly organic landscaping. To find out more, log on to www.organictreejuicebar. com. —Andrea Swayne
Concordia Rain Barrels, Butterfly Garden a Guide for Local Schools Gardens provide environmentally sound educational opportunities for students
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oncordia Elementary School students have been getting a personal view of the life cycle of butterflies, vegetables and native flora as part of a partnership with the San Clemente Garden Club since 2008. Dave Gerhard, principal of Concordia Elementary School, said for the last five years, his students have had the opportunity to get very hands-on in lessons about science and the environment. “They really enjoy it,” Gerhard said. “They really take great pride in their gardens.” To water, the school utilizes 11 rain barrels, which are attached to the drainpipes on various school buildings and stored alongside them. While San Clemente doesn’t have the reputation of being a particularly wet city, parent volunteer Kris Ethington noted that the rain barrels more than suffice to keep all of their gardens in bloom. “It’s surprising how much rain is collected,” Ethington said. “It’s a great supplemental water source.” Ethington, whose own children have graduated to middle school, has helped to set up similar garden programs at both Shorecliffs Middle School and Marblehead Elementary, and serves as a liaison of sorts as co-chair of the Garden Club’s junior gardeners program. Current parent volunteer Michelle Johnson said it’s a common site to see students use their recess time to water their vegetable or flower gardens, especially the kindergarten and first graders. “It’s geared for all of the different age
The rain barrels at Concordia Elementary School trap water for use on drier days in the school’s many gardens, which encourage students to learn about their environment in a hands-on way. Photos by Jim Shilander
groups, which is great,” Johnson said. “And there are native plants all over the school.” In addition to the vegetable garden, other classes have their own projects. Fourthgraders, for example, study worm composting, and fifth-graders get the most time with the rain barrels, as they paint them every year. Kindergarteners through third-graders get to enjoy getting an even closer look at butterflies, since there are a number of small “butterfly gardens” at the school. This includes a selection of native plants
important to the entire life cycle of the butterfly, including some to serve as food for caterpillars and as sources of nectar for grown butterflies, Ethington said. “The kids really love watching the whole life cycle of the butterflies in one place,” Gerhard said. Gerhard credited Ethington with helping to get the butterfly gardens going and said the school had also worked closely with nearby San Onofre State Park to help students understand butterfly migrations and other interesting tidbits. Among the butterflies that regularly make appearances at the gardens are the monarch, the painted lady and the gulf fritillary. “It’s a pretty comprehensive program,” Gerhard said. Ethington said that rain barrels similar to those used at the school are widely available and can cost as low as $20 from suppliers— combined with approximately $30 for the parts to attach it to the home. She suggested those interested in learning more attend one of the regular workshops on making use of rain barrels held by The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, www.theecologycenter.org. The San Clemente Garden Club will also be providing information about butterfly gardens at its GardenFest event Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center. For more information, log on to www.sanclementegardenclub.com. —Jim Shilander
At the Harbor: County Works Toward a Clean and Green Facility Harbor Director shares efforts and goals for continually improving environmental practices at one of the area’s most popular recreation destinations
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n 2005 the Orange County Board of Supervisors created the Dana Point Harbor Department, now called OC Dana Point Harbor, with the goal of having an independent department with the resources to concentrate their efforts on the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Plan. One of the unexpected but now welcomed consequences has been OC Dana Point Harbor’s attention to water quality and facility improvements through the Harbor’s Water Quality Improvement Program. Since 2007—with program goals of source control, diverting runoff, treating runoff, conservation, outreach and education— the department has effectively improved water quality throughout the Harbor. It should be noted that we are not alone in our efforts and the great work of the city of Dana Point, OC Parks, OC Watersheds, Health Care Agency, South Coast
Water District, Dana Point Earth/Ocean Society, Headlands Reserve, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Ocean Institute, Harbor operators and numerous By Brad Gross, director community cleanup volOC Dana Point Harbor unteers combine for our water quality improvement efforts. Our successes were accomplished by first taking over and improving some already established programs. For example, the Earth/Ocean Society started a “smoker’s outpost” program at some key locations in the Harbor before the establishment of the Harbor Department. There are now more than 30 outposts ringing the walkways of the Harbor. And in early 2008, the Harbor voluntarily participated in the Metropolitan Water District’s Public Sector Water Ef-
ficiency Program where a Harbor-wide audit of water usage and procedures resulted in numerous measures implemented to conserve water and reduce runoff. Following the audit, several adjustments were made to landscape, such as lowering soil levels in many planter areas and replacing spray irrigation systems with bubblers. Irrigation systems are frequently inspected and repaired. Low maintenance, yet visually appealing, plants have been chosen for the common areas and landscaping is now trimmed more frequently to minimize the amount of leaves falling into the water. All street and parking lot cleaning is performed using surface cleaners with built-in wash water recovery to eliminate runoff. Daily trash collection is mandated and bird-proof lids have been installed on trash receptacles to prevent birds from scattering the contents. Pet waste bag dispensers
are conveniently located throughout the Harbor and continually checked for supply. Fishing line recycling collection stations have been purchased and installed at several locations. There are also provisions for the disposal of oil, oil filters, automatic transmission fluid, engine anti-freeze and coolant, batteries and bilge pads which were not previously available. Also available for boaters are free oil absorbing bilge pads, which can be obtained by visiting any of the marina operators. These pads are placed in the bilges of boats to absorb oil, fuel, etc. as opposed to discharging these items overboard through bilge pumps. Once saturated, the pads are easily recycled via one of our stations. In coordination with the South Coast Water District, storm drains and sewer lines are inspected routinely for debris, (Cont. on page 6)
Many strategies are employed by the OC Dana Point Harbor Department in an effort to create a more environmentally sound facility. Photo by Andrea Swayne
At the Harbor (Cont. from page 4) obstructions and line integrity. Catch basin inserts have been installed in all drains leading into the harbor to stop debris and trash before it enters. In an effort to prevent line blockages that can lead to sewer spills, quarterly lateral and main line cleaning and maintenance takes place. During construction of the launch ramp in 2006, a trench drain was installed to collect and filter runoff. Grease interceptors have also been installed in several restaurants to collect material instead of letting it flow to the sewer system. In 2006 both the East and the West Marinas were designated Clean Marinas by the Clean Marinas California Program. The Launch Ramp was certified in 2009 and the OC Sailing & Events Center along with the Dana Point Yacht Club in 2011. The Shipyard received one of the first certifications as a Clean Maritime Facility last year. All these operations continue to exceed the program’s requirements which include solid and liquid waste management, clean boating policies, clean operational practices, emergency action procedures, a recycling program and employee and boater training. The Harbor now strictly enforces the Best Management Practices and has increased education and awareness efforts in order to encourage boaters to take an active role in safeguarding water quality. Other projects include the Headland’s installation of a storm water diversion system, timers on wash down water supply at the launch ramp, installation of waterless urinals in the new public restroom and the
recent installation of four new boat holding tank pump out stations. The Shipyard will soon be installing a water clarifying system for their facility and the fuel dock is also in the process of upgrades. In 2009, the Harbor started to conduct biannual underwater cleanups with local volunteer divers removing more than 27,000 pounds of debris from the Harbor’s bottom. And, as a result of a grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority, one of our proudest accomplishments is the recent installation of six new debris skimmers. The skimmers are strategically placed throughout the Harbor working 24/7 collecting surface debris from the water. Each skimmer collects on average about 7,400 pounds of debris annually. Ongoing efforts to improve the water quality at Baby Beach have also been successful. Part of the problem in the past was found to be caused by the water coming from outfall out of the Headlands and bird waste. The installation of the Headlands diversion and filter system has taken care of that for the most part. As for the bird droppings, bird proof netting has been installed under the pier and staff members are sent out each day to manually remove droppings off the beach. Also, since the area was dredged in 2008 and the top two feet of sand on the beach removed and replaced with clean fresh sand, documented improvements have been made and can be reviewed in the Heal the Bay annual Beach Report Card. The reports are posted online at www. healthebay.org. As we look ahead we recognize that we are quickly approaching what will prove to be a challenging but exciting time full of opportunities to execute new and innovated approaches to environmental controls for construction activity during the implementation of the Revitalization Plan. But more importantly, the project will finally allow us to upgrade such items and water supply, electrical supply, sewer capacities, grease interceptors for the restaurants and to lay the foundation for reclaimed water to be used for irrigation. As you can see, we are never done when working to improve water quality. Please come and enjoy your Harbor. Take a walk, sit on the beach, cruise on your boat, have a meal or go to sea to see a whale. On your way out, if you see a piece of trash on the ground, pick it up. I am sure you will find a trash can with a bird-proof lid close by.
Earth Day Events Saturday, April 13 Doheny State Beach Earth Day Native Planting Project 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Join volunteers at Doheny State Beach to help plant an assortment of native plants, shrubs and trees around the park. Bring a shovel and working gloves, if available. Upon entry to the park, let the gate guard know that you are volunteering. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, www.dohenystatebeach.org. 16th Annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Volunteer at San Clemente State Beach or Doheny State Beach for the California State Parks Foundation’s annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup. More info and registration is available by phone or online. 225 West Calafia Avenue, San Clemente, and, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 888.987.2757, www. calparks.org/earthday. Community Recycling Event at Dana Hills High School 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans (no glass please) in the back parking lot of Dana Hills High School near the tennis courts and pool area for students from the school’s chapter of the California Scholastic Federation to collect and sort. Funds collected are distributed by the school’s PTSA for student programs. Rain or shine. 33333 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point, www.dhhs.net. We Are Earth Day Festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join The Ecology Center’s 5th annual Earth Day celebration with live music, fresh local food, eco-activities, the annual spring seedling sale and more. Free admission. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org
Thursday, April 18 Earth Day Fair 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Eleventh annual public education and outreach effort at the SJC Community Center Gymnasium with hands-on displays, environmental games, giveaways and more. Exhibitors include the Ocean Institute, Goodwill of Orange County, Green Castles and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. Call or email environment@sanjuancapistrano.org for more information. 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.4413 www.sanjuancapistrano.org.
Saturday, April 20 Doheny State Beach Mother Earth Beach, Creek, Park Cleanup 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteer to help clean up Doheny State Beach, park and San Juan
Creek. Bring work gloves. Meet at Lifeguard Headquarters. Upon entry to the park, let the gate guards know that you are volunteering. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6172, vwiker@parks. ca.gov, www.dohenystatebeach.org. E-Waste and Shredding Event 8 a.m.-noon. The city of San Juan Capistrano and Goodwill Industries offer free e-waste disposal and document shredding. Dispose of old cell phones, computers, TVs and more. Documents will be collected in a lock box for transport to a secure shredding facility. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, 949.234.4413, www.sanjuancapistrano.org. Ritz-Carlton Earth Day Celebration 10 a.m.-noon. Meet at Salt Creek Beach for a volunteer cleanup event. Supplies provided. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. The hotel will also be hosting a free Eco-Adventure Garden Tour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. showcasing sustainable gardening practices and indigenous flora and fauna in the resort’s organic garden. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.5020, www. ritzcarlton.com.
Sunday, April 21 Ocean Institute Earth Day 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore marine wildlife and create eco-friendly crafts. Admission is $6.50 for adults (13 and over) and $4.50 for children (3-12); Children 2 and under and members are free. Volunteer for the beach and harbor cleanup from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and receive free admission. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org. Earth Day at Panhe 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Native American celebration at Panhe, the historic village and sacred ceremonial site of the Acjachemen/Juaneno people. Event features singers, dancers, storytelling, food, music, artisans, vendors and more. Free off-site parking and shuttle available at Concordia Elementary. Free admission. San Mateo Campground, San Onofre State Beach. Visit www.sanofoundation.org for more information and directions.
Saturday, May 11 Harbor Underwater Cleanup 8 a.m.-noon. Volunteers needed for OC Dana Point Harbor’s semi-annual Underwater Cleanup. Approximately 60 divers will remove debris from the Harbor floor. Participants receive a T-shirt, food and beverages. Prizes will be awarded for most unusual items recovered. Participating divers must have current open water or equivalent certification (PADI, NAUI or equivalent) and parental consent if under 18. For more information or to volunteer, call 949.493.6222 or see www.dphunderwatercleanup.com.
What Can One What Do You Do to Make Every Day Earth Day? Person Do? ON THE STREET
Eight great ways to take better care of the earth
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t’s hard to argue against the sound philosophy behind the three R’s of conservation: recycle, reduce and reuse. It’s all about making good choices to help our communities and the entire planet. By now, many have made a habit of the three R’s by doing things like separating recyclables for disposal, carpooling and turning off lights when leaving a room. Beyond that, what else can we do? According to environmentally-focused organizations such as the National Forest Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency, most people would like to do more to help the environment but don’t either due to financial
Prevent chemicals found in unwant-
ed medicines—both prescription and over-the-counter—from entering the waste stream. Instead of flushing unused or expired medications or throwing them in the garbage, dispose of them safely, anonymously and free of charge at the medication drop box at Dana Point Police Services, City Hall, 33282 Golden Lantern. No appointment necessary. San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano also periodically hold drug take-back days.
Visit the San Diego Gas & Electric website at www. sdge.com and search “Your Energy Costs: A Roomby-room Guide” to find out how much everyday electrical appliances use. When you add up the 18 to 36 cents per hour it takes to power a hair dryer, saving money on electricity is as easy as choosing to air dry every once in a while. Keep your reusable shopping
bags in the trunk of your car. That way you’ll always have them at the grocery or other store—even on those impromptu stops to grab just a few items on the way home.
Say “bye bye” to bottled water.
Invest in a filtering pitcher and a selection of reusable water bottles. With so many fun, sporty and artistic designs to choose from, your water bottle will not only let people know that you care for the environment but can also reflect your personal style.
restrictions—from large and expensive projects like converting a home to solar power—or the belief that minor changes by an individual can’t have much of an impact. Below is a checklist of inexpensive and easy ways to renew our efforts, in honor of Earth Day 2013 to take more steps toward living a greener life. Most involve minor changes in the way we do things like shop, eat, work and discard unwanted items. So check off a few—or all eight— and make a commitment to incorporate more environmentally sound practices into everyday life. —Andrea Swayne
Upcycle. Instead of sending unwanted items off to the landfill or to be recycled, why not get creative and think of clever ways to repurpose things. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s trendy too. For instance, an old filing cabinet turned on its side with the drawers removed, becomes an organizer for gardening tools or sporting goods in the garage. Half of an old suitcase fitted with a cushion can become a fun and funky pet bed. Be creative. Upcycled items can be both functional and decorative, and a simple Google search of the word “upcycle” yields thousands of great ideas.
Grow at least a portion of your own food. A big yard is not necessary. Many vegetables and fruits thrive in small containers. When making purchases,
consider the packaging. Choose products that keep packaging to a minimum and use recycled materials.
Switch at least five incan-
descent bulbs in your home to energy star-labeled bulbs. According to the EPA, if every U.S. family did this, it would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to those produced by 10 million cars.
John Saffold, Dana Point There is a balance between the earth being here for human use and enjoyment and humans being caretakers of the earth for future generations. I am very conscious about turning lights off. As long as it’s daylight, no lights are on. And we only wash clothes and run the dishwasher before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m., because of the pull on the grid. So, unless it is an emergency, that is a rule in our house. Ellen Watters, Dana Point I choose to use ecofriendly detergent and recycle in my home. If everybody chips in, the world is going to be much cleaner and much better for everyone. Sharon Stewart, Dana Point It all started around 1991. It just didn’t make any sense; we mowed the lawn, leaves fell off the trees and we had vegetable scraps from the kitchen, and I knew from reading that by having even a passive compost pile, you could—instead of buying compost—put all of these things back into your garden and keep more waste out of landfills and the water system. More than 20 years later, we still have it. We aren’t running food waste down the garbage disposal and are recycling the grass clippings. Plus, it has such a great benefit—rich soil with red worms. I put it into my rose beds. Ernie Koch, San Clemente We are very careful about how much waste we make in the first place. We don’t throw away as much as other people. A lot of times, we won’t even need to take our trash barrel to the street every week. We’ll just throw it in with our neighbors’. We’re also trying to be very careful with water, since we have big front and back yards. Elizabeth French, San Clemente We go through a ton of water bottles, and we’re always sure to take them in for recycling, and we also recycle and reuse everything we can. We also do
our best to try and conserve water and energy, even if it’s just turning off all of the lights when we leave. Kara Fuentes, San Clemente I’ve been gardening since I was a child and am currently operating three separate gardens—one at my house, one at my friend’s house and one at Saddleback College. My main garden has over 19 different fruits and vegetables. I also like to shop at used clothing stores and will occasionally make my own clothes in order to recycle and stray away from consumerism. Maggie Kiner, San Juan Capistrano I take out all the bottles, cans and recyclable objects before throwing out my trash. I also have my family on board with recycling. Another way I try to lessen my carbon footprint is to use reusable grocery bags. Jennah Shmuckler, San Juan Capistrano We have a garden in our backyard, so we get our produce right from there. We just moved here. We lived in Alisa Viejo before, but now we have a yard. We used to have a patio and we just did it in pots. Right now, we just planted watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, squash, basil, oregano, strawberries and cucumbers. I’ve never done the watermelon and I guess they can get up to 25 pounds, so I’m really looking forward to that. Scott LeFever, San Juan Capistrano My freshmen year (at the University of San Francisco), I joined USF Recycles—kind of like a recycling club. From there I got a job in the recycling department and handled all the recycled material on campus. Through that experience I got a really interesting take on waste—what people throw away and what’s considered trash. I was actually able to decorate my apartment in San Francisco with stuff that I found. I think that’s really stuck with me down here. I’d prefer, if I can, to buy second hand—something that’s done for someone else—and just give it a second life. —Compiled by Staff
San Juan Councilman Shows How Water Conservation is Done W
ater conservation is on the minds of many Southern Californians who are feeling the effects of drought conditions and water shortages in their lawns and in their wallets. The solution? Well, if you ask San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Larry Kramer, if you want to save water and your wallet, consider ditching your lawn. That’s exactly what Kramer did in his own backyard, where he’s replaced about 700 square feet of grass with decomposed granite, outdoor seating, a fire pit and several varieties of native and drought tolerant plants. “The grass was just soaking up a lot of water, and it was just sort of sitting there,” Kramer said. “Now I’ve got a nice outdoor area and it’s become very useful.” Like other local municipalities, the city of San Juan Capistrano has had to tighten its purse strings while tackling the problem of water conservation. In 2008, the city took over the day-to-day operations of the Groundwater Recovery Plant, located adjacent to city hall. Although the plant has come under fire from some residents who say it’s become too expensive to operate—some going so far as to file a lawsuit against the city—city leaders and water officials have maintained that the plant can supply half of the city’s water needs, minimize the city’s reliance on imported water and promote conservation through a tiered rate structure.
San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Larry Kramer maintains his own compost piles using trimmings and fallen foliage from his backyard. The compost, in turn, helps save water by trapping moisture. Photo by Brian Park
Kramer has been among the most vocal supporters of the plant, both on the council dais and in the local media. Although some residents say the plant and the city’s tiered rate structure unnecessarily increase water bills, Kramer believes more effort must be taken to conserve water. “If you’re using the same amount of water as before, your bills will go up,” Kramer said. “My water bills have not gone up. My average for the year is probably less than $100
a month, and that’s because I’ve taken the steps at home to conserve water.” In addition to removing his backyard lawn, Kramer participated in the city’s toilet replacement incentive program, which provides rebates for customers who replace their old toilets with new, low-flush models. Kramer has also taken advantage of the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s SoCal Water$mart rebate program, through which he’s installed a “smart”
controller and timer to his irrigation system. “It adjusts the amount of water depending on the time of the year, the temperature, humidity and so forth,” Kramer said. “If my standard time is six minutes and it’s in the winter time, it’ll water for only three minutes. If it rains, it won’t water at all.” In addition, Kramer and his wife, Chris, have also planted more than 50 species of native and drought tolerant plants, including dwarf coyote bush, California poppies, Baja bush snapdragon and showy milkweed, which attract monarch butterflies. “It’s amazing the beauty we have out here with our native plants.” Kramer also maintains his own compost piles, using dead foliage from his yard. “When I trim bushes, I shred it all. I have an electric lawnmower, so I catch all the trimmings and it all goes into my compost pile,” Kramer said. “The compost holds water well so we don’t use much water.” Kramer is currently working on replacing a small hillside in his backyard with native plants. Although he said his front yard is small, Kramer is considering resculpting his lawn to include a swale that can catch water runoff. As for what his constituents and other south Orange County residents can do to save water and lower their bills, Kramer recommends contacting city offices and regional water agencies for information about conservation and incentive programs. —Brian Park
Waste No More
Commercial food recycling grows with residential expansion eyed for future
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rom the ground and back, food scraps from area businesses are making it full circle and returning to the earth they came from, averting being discarded at the county landfill. What began in 2010 as a year-long pilot program to wean businesses off landfill use, with a $400,000 grant from OC Waste & Recycling, continues today on a voluntary basis, said Maria Lazaruk, senior compliance manager at CR&R. According to CR&R, between January 2012 and February 2013, participating businesses in the cities of Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente diverted approximately 322, 140 and 115 tons—respectively—of food waste from landfills. That’s a total of 577 tons, or 115,000 pounds of food scraps, from 13 businesses being converted from trash to nutrientbased composts in just 13 months. And the tonnage from Dana Point comes from only three participants—Salt Creek Grille, The St. Regis Monarch Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.
“The problem before was that within our culture and the country it was cheaper to trash everything, and for the first time in history, it is finally more expensive to trash than to recycle, which is encouraging more people.” —Danna McIntosh At the Fisherman’s Restaurant in San Clemente, employees there are accountable for nearly 60 percent of the city’s weight collected, said Danna McIntosh, San Clemente’s environmental services coordinator. Now, the food recycling service—once limited to 41 businesses in Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin, Laguna Hills and unincorporated areas of the county—is being offered to all restaurants and business that use CR&R trash hauling and environmental services, Lazaruk said. Just two weeks ago, Albertson’s locations in Dana Point and San Clemente came on board and from the flower, produce, bakery and meat departments, everyone is partaking in the program, McIntosh said.
But expansion of the program has been slow, she added. “The problem before was that within our culture and the country it was cheaper to trash everything, and for the first time in history, it is finally more expensive to trash than to recycle, which is encouraging more people,” she said, adding it costs businesses half as much to recycle than it does to trash. McIntosh, who oversaw the beginnings of the food scrap-recycling program, said in an effort to expand the service, the involved cities and CR&R are reaching out to educate area businesses on both the cost and environmental savings. One motivating factor for business participation, Lazaruk said, could be state Assembly Bill 341, since an estimated 45
percent of restaurant waste comes from food. The bill, which took effect in July, requires all California businesses, generating four cubic yards—or a dumpster—of waste each week, to recycle at least 50 percent of the refuse. The adopted measure aims to achieve the state’s goal of diverting 75 percent of solid waste from landfills by 2020, something Lazaruk said south Orange County is on track to accomplish. With CR&R slated to open a new processing facility in Perris next year, Lazaruk said, someday—in the near future—residential curbside pick-up could include food waste. Right now all food waste is trucked 150 miles to a composting facility in Thermal, 25 miles outside of Palm Springs. “The hope is that those of us at home can start mixing food waste and green waste, so that will stop being land-filled too,” McIntosh said. For more information on commercial food recycling, visit www.crrwasteservices.com. —Andrea Papagianis