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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnviroLink - November 20241 Tara Reyes From:listserv@civicplus.com Sent:Friday, November 1, 2024 5:02 PM To:Tara Reyes Subject:City of Diamond Bar EnviroLink- November 2024 CAUTION: This message originated outside of our City of Diamond Bar network. CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders. November 2024 2 Join us for America Recycles Day 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 AQMD parking lot- 21865 Copley Drive America Recycles Day is a national initiative aimed at raising awareness about recycling. The event will feature services such as electronic waste collection, textile recycling, paper shredding, and mulch giveaways, along with free used oil recycling collection containers. America Recycles Day is an annual event that encourages residents to adopt sustainable practices year-round. 3 Reduce Food Waste: Make Broth from Vegetable Scraps As the days grow shorter and the weather cools, there's nothing more comforting than a hearty bowl of soup. A delicious soup starts with a good broth, and you can easily make your own. Simply gather your veggie scraps and add them to a large pot of boiling water. After simmering, strain the stock through a fine mesh strainer and let it cool before storing it in airtight containers. Generally, the stock will last about five days in the fridge and up to a few months in the freezer. Tips for making a great broth: o Separate sweet from savory: Different vegetables add different flavors to your broth, it can be helpful to separate scraps into sweet and savory. o Sweet vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, golden beets, fennel, corn cobs, pea pods. o Savory vegetables: Onions, leeks, mushroom stems, spinach, chard, squash. o Avoid bitter vegetables: like broccoli, cabbage, or cauliflower they can make the stock taste bitter. 4 o Collect and Freeze: Aim to gather 4-6 cups of vegetable scraps for about 2 quarts of broth. Use airtight bags or containers to collect and freeze your scraps, adding to them whenever you have leftovers. o Keep It Simple: Focus the flavor by not adding too many different types of vegetable scraps. Also, be mindful not to overcook the broth, as this can result in a bitter taste. By turning your leftover vegetable scraps into broth, you can reduce food waste while creating a nutritious and comforting addition to your winter meals. It is a small change that makes a big impact. The Gift of Giving Less The end of the year often brings an increase in waste from packaging and unwanted items. This holiday season, consider these creative, low-waste gift ideas to make your celebrations more sustainable: o Reuse wrapping materials or gift bags: Many types of wrapping paper contain non-paper additives, which make them non-recyclable. Instead, wrap your gifts in reusable or recyclable materials. 5 o Choose recyclable holiday cards: This year, opt for holiday cards made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Go paperless, by sending virtual holiday cards or sharing holiday greetings on social media. o Buy local: Support small businesses by shopping at local craft fairs and farmers' markets. Buying local not only helps support your community but also reduces packaging waste. o DIY gift ideas: Get creative and craft beautiful, sustainable gifts using items you already have, like glass jars. Some great ideas are homemade sugar scrubs, cookie mix, or turning them into terrariums, planters, or candles with essential oil diffusers. o Volunteer and share experiences: Physical gifts are not the only way to spread holiday cheer. Consider volunteering with a local organization or donating to a cause that is meaningful to a friend or family member. You can also gift experiences, such as concert tickets, cooking classes, movie nights, or other special events. By embracing these thoughtful and eco-friendly gift ideas, you can celebrate the season while minimizing waste and making a positive impact on the environment. Happy holidays! 6 Energy-Saving Tips for the Fall and Winter Months Stay comfortable while saving energy and money during the fall and winter months with these simple tips. o Leverage natural sunlight: Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let in natural heat from the sun, and close them at night to reduce cold drafts. o Seal drafty windows: Use clear plastic film or heavy-duty plastic sheets to cover windows during winter, reducing cold air infiltration. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades to keep out drafts and maintain warmth. o Find and seal air leaks: Seal gaps around plumbing, chimneys, and unfinished spaces to prevent heat loss. Add caulk or weatherstripping around doors and windows for a tighter seal. o Reduce holiday lighting costs: Use LED holiday lights to lower energy use and reduce holiday decorating costs. Look for ENERGY STAR® certified decorative lights for even more energy savings. o Replace heater and air conditioning filters: Replacing filters within manufacturers recommendations will improve energy use and keep equipment running longer. 7 Green Cleaners: Recipes for a Healthier Clean As the weather gets colder, many of us keep our windows closed to maintain warmth, but this can also trap pollutants indoors. With windows shut tight, the air inside our homes can quickly become toxic as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from commercial cleaners accumulate. According to the EPA, many store-bought cleaners contain VOCs, some of which are known or suspected to cause health issues. A simple way to improve indoor air quality during the colder months is by switching to homemade green cleaners. These alternatives are cost-effective, perform just as well as commercial products, and help keep harmful chemicals out of your home. The Basic Five Ingredients for Green Cleaning: o White vinegar o Baking soda o Club soda o Lemon juice o Liquid castile soap How to Use These Ingredients for a Cleaner, Healthier Home: 8 o All-purpose cleaner: Combine ½ teaspoon of baking soda, a dash of liquid castile soap, and 2 cups of very hot water in a spray bottle. Shake until dissolved. This all-purpose cleaner can be used on various surfaces and will keep indefinitely. o Bathroom cleaner: For a scrubbing solution, mix ½ cup of baking soda with enough liquid soap to create a paste-like consistency. Optional: Add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant fragrance. For shiny plumbing fixtures, try spraying club soda directly on faucets and wiping them down. o Toilet cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda or pour white vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub with a toilet brush for a natural and effective clean. o Glass cleaner: Use club soda in a spray bottle and scrub windows and mirrors with a terry cloth. For extra degreasing power, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the solution. Environmental Spotlight: Discovery Cube of Orange County The City is excited to spotlight our partnership with Discovery Cube Orange County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating young minds through 9 engaging science-based programs. As part of this collaboration, Diamond Bar students have the opportunity to participate in a unique three-part educational experience that focuses on waste management and environmental stewardship. The Discovery Cube Program includes: o In-school assembly: Discovery Cube educators visit local schools throughout the City to deliver engaging presentations that introduce students to important environmental concepts and inspire curiosity about science and sustainability. o Take-home activities: Students receive interactive, hands-on activities to explore at home. These activities reinforce what they learned during the assembly and include a special student discount to visit with the Cube with their families. o Field trip to discovery Cube Santa Ana: students have the opportunity to explore a variety of interactive exhibits, such as the Organics Waste Lab, Race to Recycle, and Discovery Market. The Discovery Cube program provides a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship in a fun and interactive way. It builds a foundation for sustainable habits that will benefit our community for years to come. Contact Information 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. 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.