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Home My WebLink AboutEnviroLink - March 20251 Tara Reyes From:listserv@civicplus.com Sent:Saturday, March 1, 2025 10:02 AM To:Tara Reyes Subject:City of Diamond Bar EnviroLink- March 2025 Follow Up Flag:Follow up Flag Status:Completed CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. March 2025 2 Celebrate Global Recycling Day: Protecting Our Planet’s Future Global Recycling Day on March 18 reminds us how crucial recycling is for preserving our planet’s resources. As environmental challenges grow, sustainable waste management is more important than ever. Recycling helps reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and prevents over 700 million tons of CO2 annually. By 2030, this could reach 1 billion tons. Let’s do our part for a cleaner, healthier planet. 3 Beyond Recycling: Prioritizing Waste Reduction While recycling is an important solution, it has its limitations. To truly minimize waste and protect our environment, we must prioritize waste reduction first, followed by recycling when necessary. Here is how you can take action: o Reduce reliance on plastic: Choose reusable or sustainable alternatives. o Repair and reuse: Extend the life of products instead of replacing them. o Recycle responsibly: Keep recycling bin contents clean and dry to prevent contamination and maintain recyclability. By making smarter choices, we can significantly reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower emissions, leading to a healthier planet for future generations. 4 Precycling: A Smarter Approach to Waste Reduction It is important to recognize that while recycling plays a crucial role in waste management, the most effective way to reduce waste is by preventing it. This is where precycling comes in—a proactive approach that helps minimize waste before it is created. What is Precycling? Precycling means making smart purchasing choices to reduce waste before it starts. Ask yourself: o Is it made from recycled materials? o Is it recyclable at the end of its life? o Does it have excessive packaging? o Do I really need it, or can I reuse something instead? Buying Smart, Not Just Recycling More Preventing waste is more effective than recycling. This Global Recycling Day, choose: o Minimal or recyclable packaging 5 o Reusable bags, bottles, and containers o Durable, long-lasting items over disposables o Bulk purchases to cut packaging waste Precycling Beyond Everyday Purchases Even with big purchases, consider: o Can the product be recycled at the end of its life? o Was it made using sustainable materials and processes? o Does the manufacturer take responsibility for disposal or recycling? Precycling + Recycling = Maximum Waste Reduction This Global Recycling Day, take a step beyond recycling and focus on precycling. By precycling first and recycling, when necessary, we can significantly reduce waste and protect the planet. Honoring Women Environmental Pioneers 6 This Women’s History Month, we honor the trailblazing women who have led the way in protecting our planet. These environmental champions have used their voices, research, and activism to create lasting positive change in communities and ecosystems worldwide. o Rachel Carson: The Mother of Modern Environmentalism, her groundbreaking book, Silent Spring, exposed the dangers of pesticides like DDT, leading to a shift in environmental policies and the creation of the EPA. Her work ignited the modern environmental movement, proving that one voice can spark lasting change for the planet. o Lois Gibbs: Champion for Environmental Health, she exposed the toxic waste crisis at Love Canal in the 1970s, leading to the relocation of affected families and the creation of the Superfund law. Her activism set a precedent for holding polluters accountable and protecting communities from hazardous waste. o Sylvia Earle: Guardian of the Oceans, Marine biologist, Sylvia has dedicated her life to ocean conservation. Through her initiative, Mission Blue, she has established "Hope Spots"—protected marine areas critical for ocean health. Often called "Her Deepness," Earle continues to advocate for the preservation of marine ecosystems worldwide. o Majora Carter: Advocate for Environmental Justice, Majora is a pioneer in urban revitalization, transforming underserved communities through green infrastructure and sustainable development. Her work in the South Bronx highlights the connection between environmental and social justice, proving that a healthier planet starts with equitable communities. o Julia “Butterfly” Hill: A Symbol of Forest Conservation, Julia gained global recognition for living in a 1,000-year-old redwood tree named Luna for 738 days to protest deforestation. Her dedication led to the permanent protection of the tree and raised awareness about the urgent need for forest conservation. Their efforts remind us that every voice matters in protecting our planet. Let’s continue their legacy! 7 Fermenting to Reduce Food Waste and Boost Health Millions of pounds of food go to waste yearly, often still edible. With Food Waste Prevention Week (April 7–12) approaching, consider fermentation—a simple way to extend produce life. Fermenting prevents waste, enhances flavor, and adds gut-friendly probiotics. Instead of tossing wilted vegetables, transform them into long-lasting, nutritious, and delicious foods! How to Ferment Vegetables Fermenting vegetables is a simple and effective way to extend their shelf life while adding a delicious, tangy flavor. All you need are vegetables, salt, water, and time. The naturally occurring bacteria on veggies consume sugars and create beneficial acids that preserve the food. Fermented Carrot Sticks Recipe Instead of tossing out carrots that are starting to wilt, try fermenting them! Ingredients: 8 o Carrots, scrubbed and cut into sticks o 1 tablespoon sea salt per 2 cups of water o Optional: garlic cloves, jalapeño slices, cabbage or grape leaf for extra flavor Instructions: 1. Make the brine: Mix 1 tablespoon of sea salt with 2 cups of water. 2. Pack the jar: Place garlic or jalapeño slices at the bottom, then pack carrot sticks upright in the jar. Pour brine over the carrots until they are fully submerged. 3. Weigh down and cover: Place a cabbage or grape leaf on top to keep the carrots submerged. Cover with a clean cloth or a loosely fitted lid. 4. Ferment: Let the jar sit at room temperature for 1–2 weeks. If using a sealed jar, open daily to release gas buildup. Once the brine turns cloudy and the flavor is to your liking, move the jar to the fridge. By fermenting vegetables instead of tossing them out, you are taking a simple yet powerful step toward reducing food waste and promoting sustainability. Save the Date o Household Hazardous Waste Collection March 1, 2025, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gateway Corporate Center-1300 block of Bridge Gate Drive o Mulch Madness March 15, 2025, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Diamond Bar High School- 21400 Pathfinder Road o Earth Day April 19, 2025, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. AQMD Parking Lot- 21865 Copley Drive o America Recycles Day Nov. 15, 2025 AQMD Parking Lot- 21865 Copley Drive Contact Information 9 City of Diamond Bar | Environmental Services 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 For information about this newsletter, contact the City Manager's Office 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. 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