HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnviroLink - August 20251
Tara Reyes
From:listserv@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Sent:Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:02 AM
To:Tara Reyes
Subject:City of Diamond Bar EnviroLink- August 2025
**DO NOT open unknown links or any attachments without confirming with IS or the sender directly.**
CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening
attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.
August 2025
2
Recycling Right
With the new waste hauler transition coming next month, now is the perfect time to
brush up on how to recycle right. Proper sorting keeps more materials out of landfills
and ensures they can actually be recycled. Even small mistakes—like leftover food or
liquids—can contaminate an entire batch.
For example, when liquids spill inside the blue cart, they soak paper and cardboard,
making them unrecyclable. Leftover food in plastic containers or sauce in glass jars
often means material recovery facilities have to send otherwise good recyclables to
the landfill.
How to Recycle Right:
o Keep it clean, empty, and dry. Rinse containers and let them dry before
putting them in the blue cart. No food, no liquid, no grease.
o Never bag recyclables. Plastic bags jam sorting machines and aren't
accepted in curbside recycling. Use bags only for trash—or drop them off at
retailers like Sprouts or Walmart that collect them separately.
o Not all plastics are recyclable. Flimsy items like plastic wrap, food pouches,
and film packaging cannot be recycled.
o Avoid tangle dangers. Hoses, cords, wires, and clothes do not belong in
recycling. They tangle in machinery and cause costly shutdowns.
3
o Beware of hazardous residues. Aerosol cans and motor oil containers can
be recycled—but only if completely empty. Leftover chemicals can spark fires
or harm the environment. Check the Diamond Bar Hazardous Waste Disposal
Guide for items like paint, batteries, medications, and used oil, attend a
County HHW (Household Hazardous Waste) event, or call your hauler for
proper disposal.
o When in doubt, throw it out. Wishful recycling causes more harm than good.
If you are unsure, it is safer to toss it in the trash. You can also find out if
something is recyclable by calling the Environmental Services Team at 909-
839-7015.
What Not to Recycle
o Pizza Boxes: Under new Valley Vista Services (VVS) guidelines, greasy pizza
boxes are not recyclable. Only clean, grease-free portions (like the lid) can go
in the blue bin.
o Sanitizing and Baby Wipes: These are made from plastic fibers and are not
recyclable. Do not flush them either—they clog pipes. Always throw them in
the trash.
o Napkins and Tissues: Even though they're paper, used napkins and tissues
are not recyclable. Compost them in your green organics bin.
o Polystyrene (Styrofoam): A new California law classifies polystyrene as non-
recyclable. Avoid using it when possible and look for compostable or reusable
alternatives.
4
Reduce, REUSE, Recycle!
While recycling gets a lot of attention, reusing items can be more impactful. Giving
items a second life reduces waste, cuts demand for new products, and avoids the
energy use and air pollution emissions in the manufacturing process.
Here are a few free resources and simple ideas to get started:
o Post and pick up free items through the Freecycle platform, promoting local
reuse.
o Use online classifieds, such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor
to give away or sell items to others in your area.
o Exchange reading materials with neighbors or start a Little Free Library.
o Donate gently used items to local thrift stores or shop secondhand yourself.
The Goodwill donation center at 21070 Golden Springs Drive is open 10 a.m.-6
p.m. every day.
o Use churches, clubs, or businesses to organize donation drives or swaps.
Reusing is a simple and powerful, yet often overlooked, aspect of the circular
economy. It keeps valuable materials in circulation, cuts down on waste, and brings
communities together. So, get involved, and be part of the reuse movement!
5
How to Create a Pollinator Garden
Tired of spending too much time mowing your lawn and too much money on
pesticides? A pollinator garden requires some initial effort and investment, but once
established, it demands far less maintenance while offering far greater rewards. By
planting native species with biodiversity in mind, you create a self-sustaining habitat
where nature does the work for you. The right mix of plants attracts a variety of
beneficial insects that help keep each other in balance, reducing the need for
chemical sprays or constant upkeep. Plus, your yard becomes a vital refuge for
threatened pollinators like bees and butterflies.
This quick-start guide is adapted from an article by Sierra Club Magazine:
o Start Small. Begin with a simple 5x5-foot patch. Good spots include lawn
edges, fence lines, or foundation beds—areas that are easy to convert.
o Prepare the Site with Sheet Mulching. Lay down cardboard and cover it
with wood chips to smother grass without digging. It’s simple, effective, and
builds healthier soil.
o Choose Native Plants. Pick plants that are native to your region and match
your site’s light and soil conditions. Choose a mix that blooms from spring
through fall.
o Plant Densely. Close planting suppresses weeds, locks in moisture, and
creates a stronger plant community—just like in nature.
o Avoid Pesticides. Native plants don’t need chemicals. Skip mosquito sprays
and ask nurseries if their plants are pesticide-free, especially avoiding
neonicotinoids.
o Be Patient. Native gardens take 2–3 years to fully mature. In the meantime,
enjoy the steady transformation and the increasing variety of pollinators your
garden attracts.
For the full article, visit SierraClub.org.
6
National Wellness Month: Green Choices for a
Healthier You and a Healthier Planet
August is National Wellness Month—a time to prioritize health, well-being, and self-
care. But true wellness extends beyond personal health to encompass the health of
our planet, which directly impacts our own well-being. Here are three activities that
can simultaneously boost your health and make a positive difference for the
environment:
o Spend Time in Nature. Whether it is a morning hike, a bike ride, or simply a
walk in the park, time outdoors can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost
mental clarity. Regular nature exposure has been shown to lower blood
pressure, enhance immune function, and increase overall life satisfaction
while fostering a deeper connection to the environment we depend on.
o Switch to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products. Making the switch to natural or
eco-friendly cleaning products reduces your exposure to harsh chemicals and
toxic ingredients that can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory systems. Many
effective green cleaners are made from simple ingredients like vinegar, baking
soda, and essential oils, creating a healthier indoor environment for your
family while reducing harmful chemicals in waterways.
o Eat Seasonally and Locally. Seasonal produce is often fresher, more
flavorful, and more nutritious than items shipped from distant locations.
Buying local also significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with
food transport and packaging. Visit farmers' markets or join a community-
7
supported agriculture program to discover what's growing in your area each
season.
Our well-being and the planet's health are deeply interconnected, and each green
choice we make creates a positive ripple effect that benefits both our personal
wellness and the environment we all share.
Contact Information
City of Diamond Bar
Environmental Services Team
21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
909-839-7000 | greendb@diamondbarca.gov
For information about this newsletter, contact the
Environmental Services Team at 909-839-7015
or greendb@diamondbarca.gov.
If this newsletter was shared with you, sign up to receive your own
copy at www.diamondbarca.gov/signup and select "EnviroLink
Newsletter"
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
Copyright 2024 City of Diamond Bar. All Rights Reserved.
21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, you may Unsubscribe.
Powered by
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
Unsubscribe