 reEarth Consulting worked with the City of Carlsbad to implement a multi-phase program to educate and support residents in Carlsbad engage in home composting and general organics waste reduction IntroductionreEarth Consulting was founded in 2018 to accelerate the transition to a regenerative and prosperous economy, a healthier environment and a more equitable society. Working with governments, other public entities and corporations, reEarth brings wisdom, practicality and guidance to support the transformation and regeneration of human and ecological systems so that current and future generations may thrive. Our team of consultants have over 20 years of combined expertise, experience and vision to help clients achieve their sustainability goals through outreach, education, and realistic transition plans that assist and accelerate the implementation of environmental innitiatives. Our mission is to put people and our planet at the heart of all we do. We remain committed to bringing holistic and systematic metrics into the core of our implementation strategies to bring about lasting and impactful change. We created this case study with the City of Carlsbad to share our process and approach to further inspire the acceleration and adoption of California’s SB 1383: a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) by reducing organic waste disposal to 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025.
SB 1383 Background: California’s Organic Waste ReductionreEarth Consulting designed, developed and implemented a program that addressed compostable yard waste and kitchen scraps generated by residences for the City of Carlsbad between 2018 and 2022. The residents addressed in the program were of several types of home dwellings, including apartments, condos, townhomes, homes with small gardens and homes with large gardens. The program targeted several existing California laws, in particular SB 1383, which encourages local jurisdictions to conduct education and outreach on organics recycling to residents in the pursuit of reaching 75% diversion of organics by 2025. This program included several elements to inspire, empower and support residents to reduce organic waste and compost at home, including: outreach, education, technical assistance, financial incentives and community building. The Client: City of Carlsbad Carlsbad, California is a coastal city located in northern San Diego County. The city has made a commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. In 2019, the City of Carlsbad was named one of the top 100 "Green Cities" in the United States by the National Geographic Society, and the city has received several awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its recycling and energy-saving programs. The City of Carlsbad, hired reEarth to design, develop and implement a program to divert organic waste generated by residents. Additionally, the City also wanted to bring awareness and educate as many residents as possible on the importance and benefits of recycling organic materials, also known as composting, in the City of Carlsbad and beyond. It is important to note that the City of Carlsbad did not have curbside organics recycling programs established in the entire jurisdiction during the time of the program and therefore the program had a very high importance in diverting organics from the landfill. Strategy & GoalsWe at reEarth, designed a comprehensive program that included three key components of implementation:
The program also offered outreach and education at recurring farmer's markets, which proved to be a major success, providing residents with an in-person opportunity to learn about composting in a fun and interactive environment. At the farmer’s markets, reEarth filled the city booth with educational displays, hands-on demonstrations, and engaging workshops. Residents had the opportunity to talk with composting experts and learn about the different methods of composting and the benefits it provides. The reEarth outreach team also distributed informational materials and provide technical assistance. The farmer's market proved to be an excellent platform for engaging with the community and promoting composting, as it allowed residents to learn about the benefits of composting while shopping for fresh, locally grown produce. Additionally, reEarth designed an Earth Day Festival in Carlsbad, attracting hundreds of residents and creating a buzz about composting. The festival was filled with interactive activities, educational workshops, and engaging exhibits. There were hands-on demonstrations of composting techniques and information on how to get involved in local waste reduction efforts. Throughout the day, residents learned about the benefits of composting, how to start their own composting efforts at home, and how they can make a difference in their community. The festival helped to raise awareness about composting and waste reduction, and it was evident that the residents of Carlsbad left the event with a better understanding of the important role composting plays in a sustainable future. The festival was a testament to the power of community engagement and the positive impact it can have on promoting environmentally friendly practices. Key FindingsreEarth executed on a strong diversity of educational outreach strategies (Earth Day Festival, farmer’s markets booths, social media videos, email newsletters, in-person and online workshops, and other approaches) with the goal of building an interactive community of local residents. By engaging residents in ongoing discussions about their experiences with home composting through multiple touch points, participation in the program and waste reduction efforts significantly increased. Additionally, when the reEarth team worked with the City to provide subsidized composting supplies to city residents, this increased the efficacy and implementation of the program, removing any financial burdens for city residents to begin composting. ResultsOverall, the program was a huge success in helping divert organic waste and inspire residents to begin home composting:
ConclusionCity-wide composting programs are important because they help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which in turn can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Organic material in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as it decomposes. Composting this material instead can turn it into a useful soil amendment, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and the associated energy costs. Additionally, composting can help to improve soil health, retain moisture in gardens and landscaping, and reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation. Composting can also help cities to be more sustainable by diverting organic material from landfills, reducing the need for new landfills, and saving space in existing landfills. Additionally, composting can create jobs and stimulate local economies by creating a new industry. In summary, city-wide composting programs can help to reduce waste, combat climate change, improve soil health, save water and money, create jobs and stimulate local economies, and promote a more sustainable future for cities. Therefore, it is important for all cities across America to have city-wide composting initiatives. Cities across the state are working to comply with SB 1383. If you have any questions regarding SB 1383, or how to adopt policies and run programs conducive to compliance with this law, please contact reEarth Consulting. Email: info@reEarthConsulting.com
 reEarth Consulting worked with the City of Carlsbad to implement a six-phase project to educate, train and support local restaurants in the City of Carlsbad to transition to compliance with California AB 1276. IntroductionreEarth Consulting was founded in 2018 to accelerate the transition to a regenerative and prosperous economy, a healthier environment and a more equitable society. Working with governments, other public entities and corporations, reEarth brings wisdom, practicality and guidance to support the transformation and regeneration of human and ecological systems so that current and future generations may thrive. Our team of consultants have over 20 years of combined expertise, experience and vision to help clients achieve their sustainability goals through outreach, education, and realistic transition plans that assist and accelerate the implementation of environmental innitiatives. Our mission is to put people and our planet at the heart of all we do. We remain committed to bringing holistic and systematic metrics into the core of our implementation strategies to bring about lasting and impactful change. We created this case study with the City of Carlsbad to share our process and approach to further inspire single-use plastic reduction for restaurants. Key Takeaways: - Discover what approaches help and motivate local restaurants to reduce and ideally eliminate single-use disposable foodware waste from their operations. Background: California’s AB 1276A more renewable, circular economy in California begins with the implementation of AB 1276, a bill that aims to reduce trash pollution by requiring businesses to reduce the amount of single-use food utensils and condiment packets going out of their door with and to customers. The law is designed to make it easier for businesses to reduce their use of disposable products, which will lead to less trash in landfills and a reduction in the amount of plastic pollution in the environment. The Client: City of Carlsbad Carlsbad, California is a coastal city located in northern San Diego County. The city has made a commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. In 2019, the City of Carlsbad was named one of the top 100 "Green Cities" in the United States by the National Geographic Society, and the city has received several awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its recycling and energy-saving programs. The City of Carlsbad, hired reEarth to design, develop and implement a pilot program that addressed single-use disposable foodware waste generated by restaurants in the City of Carlsbad between 2019 and 2021. Strategy & GoalsWe at reEarth, designed a comprehensive program that included our cornerstone four components of:
To identify effective and workable opportunities for the City of Carlsbad restaurants, reEarth first performed strategic business analysis using questionnaires, interviews, and on-site observations. Based on the analysis, reEarth customized waste reduction recommendations for each restaurant engaged in the program. Restaurants were then invited to pledge to implement the solutions offered and signed acknowledgments were collected. The reEarth team also collected waste reduction data and feedback from the participating restaurants to track the progress and impact of the program. Based on the data and feedback, a final report was created with program findings and recommendations for a course of action for the City of Carlsbad to continue to reduce waste and promote sustainability for residents. Key FindingsOur key findings from working with the City of Carlsbad on its single-use waste reduction program were that having protocols in place for program language, communication, and dealing with unforeseen circumstances is crucial to a program's success. For example, having protocols in place for dealing with non-responsive or aggressive program participants is important to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the program. Additionally, protocols for unforeseen circumstances, such as the closing of businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were also crucial to address. Another key finding was that communicating solutions rather than problems to businesses opened doors for participation, as it helped to create a positive and productive dialogue. We also found that local jurisdiction involvement in outreach communication was paramount in achieving participation. This helped to build trust and credibility with the restaurants and made them more likely to engage in the program. Furthermore, we found that price affordability and immediate-term financial positive results were key motivators for the participating restaurants to adopt waste reduction practices. Businesses were more likely to adopt sustainable solutions if they could see a clear financial benefit to doing so. On average the #1 reason given by restaurants to not participate in the pilot program was "absence of a local ordinance that requires them to reduce waste" which helped us inform the City of Carlsbad on the next best action steps to take. Overall, it is important to build trust, provide clear solutions, and address the financial concerns of businesses in order to successfully reduce waste, promote sustainability and get restaurants fully in compliance with AB 1276. Results
Recommendations reEarth further proposed a plan to the City of Carlsbad that included a recommendation to create an ordinance to ban the sale and distribution of single-use disposable food ware items with high environmental impact in their jurisdiction, and a supporting program, with more outreach, education and technical assistance to help restaurants transition to ordinance compliance, and therefore California law compliance also. This proposal aimed to significantly reduce the waste generated by the city's restaurants and the negative environmental impact. ConclusionRestaurants play a significant role in the American economy, employing millions of people and shape the cultural and social fabric of communities across the country. Beyond their economic and social importance, restaurants also play a key role in influencing the food culture and food systems in America. They shape the way Americans eat, by offering a wide variety of cuisines and food styles. They also have an impact on the food supply chain, by sourcing ingredients from local farmers, and supporting local food systems. However, with this importance also comes a level of responsibility. Restaurants generate a significant amount of waste, including food, single-use plastic and foodware waste. Therefore, it's important that the entire industry takes steps to eliminate waste and promote sustainability in order to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. With the right strategy, an effective outreach program and inspiring training, restaurants across all cities in America can easily adopt these strategies, and further create a positive impact on the environment and American culture. Cities across the state are working hard to comply with AB 1276 and related legislation. If you have any questions regarding AB 1276, or how to adopt policies and run programs conducive to compliance with this law, please contact reEarth Consulting. Email: info@reEarthConsulting.com
 Cities and local governments play a critical role in the fight against climate change. By enacting climate action plans, they can take concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of a changing climate, and build more resilient communities.
The Importance of Sustainable Materials Management: Protecting Our Planet and Future Generations1/4/2023  Sustainable materials management is the practice of using and reusing materials in the most efficient and effective way possible, while minimizing the impact on the environment. It is an important concept because it can help reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and reduce waste.
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2/2/2023
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